A team of Chinese and American researchers has uncovered the secrets behind the production of red rice in the northwestern province of Gansu during the 2nd millennium BCE. According to the scientists, this traditional beverage was often used in burial rituals during those ancient times.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
The researchers made this discovery by analyzing dozens of ceramic vessels containing traces of alcohol. These artifacts were found at an ancient cemetery used by local populations between 1700 and 1100 BCE, as reported by Independent.
Previous studies indicated that the ancient inhabitants of this region actively consumed plant-based products and created from them. They employed a unique ancient method that relied on a fermentation starter made from microorganisms that developed on grains, such as the reddish mold Aspergillus, yeast, and bacteria.
Ancient written sources mentioned wine produced in this manner, but it was only recently that researchers managed to find its traces.
“Previous studies revealed a significant prevalence of fermented grain-based beverages in Neolithic China,” the team noted in an article published in the Journal of Archaeological Science Reports. However, they pointed out that research focused on such beverages from the early Bronze Age remains scarce.
The burials where archaeologists found the pottery with wine traces span two ancient cultural periods: Qijia (2300-1500 BCE) and Siwa (1400-1100 BCE). Some of these burials featured side chambers located within the walls at varying depths, and the ceramic vessels containing the beverage were typically placed above the deceased’s head.
Overall, the scientists analyzed alcohol residues in 42 vessels from different periods of the archaeological site. They determined that these residues contained various plants, including rice, millet, buckwheat, barley, and wheat.
“The people created alcoholic beverages using a fermentation starter primarily consisting of rice and mold. This drink, made from various grains, played a significant role in burial rituals,” the researchers wrote.
