2,300-Year-Old Ancient Wine Discovered in China Still 'Liquid'

▲ The 2,300-year-old liquor discovered in China

An ancient alcoholic beverage amounting to about 3.7 liters, with its seal preserved almost perfectly, has been discovered at a 2,300-year-old tomb site from the Warring States period in China.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) of Hong Kong today (August 11), a bronze jar estimated to date back to the Qin dynasty was unearthed during the excavation of an ancient tomb in the Ningxia region of northwestern China.

Inside the jar, about 3.7 liters of liquid remained abundantly. Component analysis confirmed it was not a fruit wine like grape wine, but an ancient grain-based liquor brewed primarily with millet and wheat.

Wang Xiaoyang, head of the tomb excavation project, explained, "Thanks to a 'double-sealing' technique that lined the inside of the bronze jar with fabric and applied clay to the outside, the liquor did not evaporate and was preserved intact despite more than 2,000 years passing."

Researchers estimate that this tomb may have been a communal cemetery used by soldiers and residents stationed at defense facilities along the Great Wall.

The research findings on this discovery were published in the June issue of the international academic journal Journal of Archaeological Science and recently became known.

Chen Lulu, a PhD student at Northwest University and the lead author of the study, assessed, "This discovery is an important historical material clearly showing how ancient people utilized grain and brewed it 2,300 years ago," adding, "It will also be of great help in restoring ancient brewing techniques."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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