Scientists find 9000-year-old Chinese pots were probably used to drink beer

The team analysed 20 pots and found evidence of fermentation, suggesting they were used to hold ‘rice beer’

The pottery was found near a burial pit, and the scientists think beer was part of funerary rituals

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Scientists analysing 9,000-year-old pots from China found evidence that they were used to hold beer. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:00am, 18 Sep 2021Updated: 9:17pm, 19 Sep 2021

Scientists who analysed 9,000-year-old pottery discovered in eastern China said our ancient ancestors might have enjoyed a fresh pint as much as the next person.

An analysis of ancient pots and cups found in Qiaotou, Zhejiang province, showed that the vessels contained beer made out of rice.

The study, published in August on PLoS One, a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal, argued that the beer was drunk by the Shangshan people as part of burial traditions and communal gatherings.

The evidence suggests the ancient wine was made out of rice. Photo: SCMP

The reason the scientists believe the pot held beer and not, say, wine, was because, after analysing the residue left in 20 pieces of pottery, they found it contained ingredients such as mould and yeast that are consistent with beer fermentation.

The scientists also found phytoliths, or plant particles, consistent with rice, suggesting it was a key ingredient in making the drink. They believe the beer was made using three ingredients: rice, Job’s Tears (an Asian grainy plant) and tubers, which hold nutrients in plants like potatoes.