Some ancient microbes frozen with Ötzi the Iceman are still growing

Scientists studying Ötzi the Iceman have discovered that the 5,300-year-old ice mummy still hosts an active microbial ecosystem. Researchers found metabolically active cold-loving yeasts and growing Glaciozyma colonies , with a cold-adapted yeast species called Glaciozyma slowly expanding between 2010 and 2019, continuing to grow even under extreme cold preservation conditions. The microbiome on the ancient body is not static but continues to change over time.

Source: Ars Technica | 2026-06-06