An ancient tomb recently excavated in Henan Province, China, not only coincided with the Duanwu Festival but also revealed an “incredible” treasure.
Typically, in a 2,000-year-old tomb, archaeologists hope to find only items that are difficult to decompose, such as human bones and ceramic or metal burial goods.
However, the newly uncovered tomb, unveiled just in time for the Duanwu Festival in Xinyang County, Henan Province, has presented an exceptionally unique treasure: 40 intact pyramid-shaped rice dumplings. For archaeology, this is a true treasure.
The ancient rice dumplings are unveiled just in time for the Duanwu Festival after being buried for about 2,300 years – (Photo: CHINA SCIENCE).
According to Xinhua News Agency, this ancient tomb belonged to a noble of the ancient state of Zhou during the Warring States period (475-221 BC), meaning its contents date back approximately 2,300 years.
The pyramid-shaped rice dumplings, perfectly preserved and strung together, although different in ingredients and preparation, were made for burial purposes.
Microscopic examinations revealed that 39 of the 40 dumplings were stuffed with uncooked rice, still encased in their husks, while the remaining one was filled with a type of millet.
The leaves used to wrap the rice dumplings are from a type of oak, which is still used to wrap this kind of dumpling in the western and southern parts of Henan Province, China.
Archaeologist Lan Wanli from the Henan Provincial Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Institute stated that these are the oldest rice dumplings ever excavated.
Ancient food items in good condition are a significant treasure for archaeologists, as analyzing them can reveal a wealth of details about a lost world: agricultural conditions, trade exchanges, customs, dietary practices, and the health of the people who lived in the area…
Rice dumplings are a traditional dish during the Duanwu Festival in many Asian countries, although the ingredients and wrapping methods may vary slightly by region.
