Ancient New Zealand butter found in Antarctica

What is believed to be the world's oldest block of butter has been discovered in the Antarctic.

The Kiwi butter was found frozen in the stable area adjacent to Robert Falcon Scott's hut.

"I think the butter was absolutely a treasure find," says Lizzie Meek, Antarctic Heritage Trust.



Until recently much of the hut was surrounded by snow and ice. A restoration team were working on the adjoining stables when they made the discovery, near a pile of empty butter boxes.

"Oh just tremendous! It looked like an old wrinkly bag and you look inside and saw the wonderful Silver Fern logo," says Meek. The two-block butter is believed to be the oldest in the world.

"What's amazing is how strong that smells. Nearly a 100 years - very very strong, possibly a bit too strong?" Meek says. The butter will now be carefully restored.

With news video.