How long butter has been around?

The exact origins of butter are unknown, but it is believed to have been first produced in ancient Mesopotamia around 4,000 BC. Butter was made by churning milk and then separating the solid fat from the liquid buttermilk. It was used as a cooking fat and as a spread, and was also an important ingredient in many ancient Middle Eastern dishes. Butter production spread to Europe and Asia over the centuries, and by the Middle Ages it was a common foodstuff throughout much of the world. Today, butter is still widely used in cooking and baking, and is also a popular spread.