Archaeologists digging in southeast China have unearthed evidence of beer consumption dating back a staggering 9,000 years. The find, published in PLOS One, sheds light on the ancient practice of brewing and its potential role in early rituals.
The team analyzed residues clinging to ceramic vessels unearthed at the Qiaotou burial site. This “ancient crud,” as researchers playfully call it, contained a telltale mix of starches, fossilized plant matter, and fungal and yeast remains – a fingerprint pointing directly to fermented beverages.
“These findings offer the earliest evidence of beer consumption linked to burial practices in southern China,” explains co-author Jiajing Wang, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Dartmouth. “The pots likely held a form of beer – a fermented concoction brewed with rice, Job’s tears (a wild grain), and possibly unidentified tubers.”
Unlike the hoppy IPAs of today, this ancient beverage would have been a far cry. Imagine a slightly sweet, cloudy drink, the product of a simpler fermentation process. Interestingly, the analysis also revealed rice husks and other plant materials, hinting at their potential use as early fermentation agents.
The location of the find adds another layer of intrigue. Qiaotou lies in southern China, a region synonymous with rice cultivation even today. While rice was still in its early stages of domestication 9,000 years ago, its presence in the beer recipe isn’t surprising.
The researchers believe the laborious nature of processing rice back then suggests this beverage held significant ritualistic value. “We don’t know exactly how they induced fermentation,” ponders Wang. “Perhaps leftover rice developed mold naturally, leading them to discover the resulting sweeter, alcoholic beverage.”
While not the oldest beer ever found (evidence in Israel and Turkey dates back even further), the Qiaotou discovery underscores the universality of fermented beverages in ancient cultures.
Adding to the site’s uniqueness are the intricately designed “hu” pots – some featuring abstract patterns – found alongside the beer vessels. These painted ceramics, according to the study, rank among the earliest known examples in the world. As for their counterparts elsewhere, well, they remain a mystery for future explorations to unravel.