Overview

• 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.