Scientists from the University of York discovered that early Central European farmers raised cows, goats and sheep for milk, despite possible lactose intolerance. It has been reported daily legacy.
In 2016, archaeologists discovered ceramic vessels during excavations near the village of Slaventsek in central Poland. The scientists studied the proteins and oils on the surface of the containers. They discovered that former farmers were already buying cheese and other dairy products, although many likely suffered from milk intolerance.
Their age is estimated to be about 3650-3100 years, which corresponds to the late Neolithic period. Lactose intolerance was common in almost all Europeans in the Neolithic period. It wasn’t until the Late Bronze Age that a genetic mutation became commonplace that allowed adults to produce lactase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose in the body. At the same time, pastoralists discovered ways to reduce the lactose content of milk through methods such as cheese or yogurt production.
Cow, sheep and goat milk was used to produce cheese – this is indicated by buried animal bones. During the excavations, traces of a small settlement containing four houses, a well and a tomb were also found.
More recently, there is a growing body of archaeological evidence showing that milk consumption has been a common practice in Central Europe since the Neolithic period. Fat particles unique to dairy products have been found in pottery excavated in present-day Poland and Hungary, estimated to date back to the 6th to 7th millennium BC.