Century-old butter found in Antarctica

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- A restoration team said they discovered two blocks of well-preserved New Zealand butter dating back nearly 100 years in an Antarctic hut.

The Antarctic Heritage Trust team said the butter was found frozen in an area near the hut, which belonged to British explorer Robert Falcon Scott in the early 20th century, TVNZ reported Monday.

"What's amazing is how strong that smells. Nearly a 100 years -- very, very strong, possibly a bit too strong?" said Lizzie Meek of the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust.

The butter bears a label reading "CCCDC," which is believed to stand for defunct New Zealand firm Canterbury Central Cooperative Dairy Company.

"(It's) very exciting because there's such a strong connection with New Zealand. And a lot of supplies were given to the expedition by NZ companies and New Zealand people. But it's great to find one with that instantly recognizable Silver Fern and in such great condition relatively speaking," Meek said.

Meek said the team plans to return the butter to its former location for another 100 years.

"I hope it'll look pretty similar, perhaps a little dustier but pretty much exactly the same," Meek said.