10,000-Year-Old Rice Beer Found in China

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of rice beer production dating back 10,000 years at the Shangshan site in Zhejiang Province, China, marking the earliest known instance of rice alcohol fermentation in East Asia. This groundbreaking research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted by an international team including Stanford University and Chinese institutions. The study involved the analysis of 12 pottery fragments, revealing the use of Monascus mold and yeast in fermentation processes, and highlighting the role of rice as a staple resource for the Shangshan culture. Findings suggest that rice beer was integral to ritual feasting and social interaction, possibly influencing the widespread cultivation of rice. The discovery provides significant insights into the cultural and environmental factors that facilitated early rice agriculture and fermentation practices during the early Holocene.