Archaeologists Find Ancient Cheese Makers Used Tree Leaves to Boost Milk Production

By Doris Fleischer

A study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution sheds light on the innovative practices of Central Europe's early cheese makers.

Researchers at German Archaeological Institute (Berlin), University of Bristol, Museum National d'historie Naturelle (Paris) and Kiel University conducted and collated over 2,000 stable isotopic measurements of cattle teeth, bones, and pottery fats, revealing how pioneer farmers adapted their cattle herding techniques to the rich forested landscape of Central Europe.

Led by Dr. Rosalind Gillis from the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin, the study highlights an intriguing early practice: feeding cattle with leaves collected from trees during the summer to sustain them through the winter.