Archaeologists discover 10,000-year-old beer brewing pottery in China
An archaeological discovery in China's Zhejiang province has provided impressive evidence of the existence of rice beer in the ancient world. The study of ceramic fragments dating back to 10,000-9,000 BC has revealed unique details about the food culture of the Neolithic period.
An international team of scientists led by researchers from the Zhejiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology studied twelve ancient ceramic sherds from the Shanshan site. Scientists conducted a detailed microscopic analysis of the remains on the inner surfaces of the vessels, looking for the slightest trace of life.
The results of the study, published in the authoritative scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed extremely interesting facts. Traces of domesticated rice phytoliths were found on the ceramics, as well as specific fungi, including Monascus mold and yeast, which are typical of traditional Chinese brewing.
The analysis of the spherical jugs, in which the concentration of fermentation fungi was the highest, was particularly revealing. This allowed the researchers to conclude that ancient people had a specially developed technology for making alcoholic beverages.
The climatic conditions of the early Holocene - warm and humid - created an ideal environment for the development of fungi necessary for the fermentation process. Rice served as a stable raw material base for beverage production, and the use of rice husks and leaves in ceramic production emphasized its exceptional role in the culture of the time.
Scholars suggest that rice beer in ancient China had a much deeper meaning than just an alcoholic beverage. It probably played an important social function, being used in rituals, celebrations, and as a tool of social communication.
This archaeological discovery not only expands our understanding of the food culture of ancient civilizations, but also demonstrates the high level of technological knowledge of our ancestors in the field of fermentation and beverage production.
As a reminder, archaeologists have found a square dating back to the era of Ancient Rome in Spain.
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