Uncorking the past: the quest for China” s ancient fermented beverages
Following a tantalizing trail of archaeological and chemical clues from ancient China and other parts of Asia through the millennia, Patrick McGovern tells the compelling story of humanity”s ingenious, intoxicating quest for the perfect drink in ancient China.Whether it be mind-altering, medicinal, a religious symbol, a social lubricant, or artistic inspiration, fermented beverages have not only been a profound force in history, but they may be fundamental to the human condition itself.The speaker will illustrate the biomolecular archaeological approach by describing the discovery of the most ancient, chemically-attested alcoholic beverage in the world, dating back to about 7000 B.C.Based on the analyses of some of the world”s earliest pottery from Jiahu in the Yellow River valley of China, a mixed fermented beverage of flee, hawthorn fruit/grape, and honey was reconstructed.He will also describe the historical background and analysis of Shang/ Western Zhou Dynasty bronze vessels, which amazingly still held liquids, viz., millet and rice ”wines” (more properly, beers) from 3000 years ago.They were recovered from magnificent tombs at Anyang and Changzikou in Henan province.Additives of tree resins and especially plants in the Artemisia family, mentioned in the earliest Chinese medical prescriptions (Mawangdui tomb texts dating to 168 B.C.) also have remarkable anti-cancer properties.
Patrick E.McGovern
Biomolecular Archaeology Project University of Pennsylvania Museum Philadelphia, PA 19104
国内会议
太原
英文
374-387
2015-10-11（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）