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Ancient Cemetery Reveals Alcohol Use in Rituals

12/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Pottery vessels contained alcohol traces from a rice-based beverage similar to red rice wine, indicating its use in mortuary rituals.
The Mogou cemetery was used from 1700 to 1100 BC.
It is the largest cemetery in the upper Tao River valley.
The site underscores its role as a cultural exchange route between Central Asia and Central China.
The findings were published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.

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Story summary

Pottery vessels contained alcohol traces from a rice-based beverage similar to red rice wine, indicating its use in mortuary rituals.
The Mogou cemetery was used from 1700 to 1100 BC.
It is the largest cemetery in the upper Tao River valley.
The site underscores its role as a cultural exchange route between Central Asia and Central China.
The findings were published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.