10,000-Year-Old Rice Beer Unearthed at Neolithic Chinese Site

Archaeologists identify the earliest known evidence of rice-based alcohol fermentation in East Asia, revealing insights into ancient brewing practices and their cultural significance.

Researchers discovered traces of rice beer dating back 10,000 years at the Shangshan archaeological site in Zhejiang Province, China.
Analysis of pottery fragments revealed domesticated rice residues, fungal elements, and starch granules indicative of fermentation processes.
Globular jars were identified as specialized vessels for brewing, with higher concentrations of fermentation-related residues compared to other pottery types.
The findings highlight the role of rice beer in ceremonial feasting and its potential influence on the intensified cultivation of rice in Neolithic China.
This discovery links early alcohol production to the warm, humid climate of the early Holocene and offers new perspectives on the interplay between agriculture, technology, and social structures.