Starch grain analysis reveals ancient diet at Kuahuqiao site, Zhejiang Province

Abstract

Charred residues adhering to sherds of ceramic cooking vessels, pots (Fu), excavated from the Kuahuqiao site (8000-7000 cal a BP) in Zhejiang Province were examined using the method of starch grain analysis. Ancient starch grains were recovered from charred residues and were classified into 8 genera. Remains from rice (Oryza spp.), job's-tears (Coix chinesis T.), bean (Vigna spp.), acorn (Quercus spp.) as well as possibly buckeye tree (Aesculus chinensis B.) were identified. Other starch grains from unidentified plants were also recovered. Tracheids with bordered pits from softwood fibers were also found, indicating that some food might have been processed with wooden tools. The range of starch grains in the charred residues adhering to the ceramic pots reveals the diversity of ancient plant foods at the Kuahuqiao site, Zhejiang Province. starch grain analysis, charred residues, ancient diet, Kuahuqiao site, Zhejiang Province Citation:Yang X Y, Jiang L P. Starch grain analysis reveals ancient diet at Kuahuqiao site, Zhejiang Province.

Starch grain analysis of human dental calculus to investigate Neolithic consumption of plants in the middle Yellow River Valley, China: A case study on Gouwan site

“…Viewed with the polarized microscope, the extinction cross is faint. The characteristics of these starch grains are consistent with those found in the tribe Oryzeae, which are characterized by compound grains Yang and Jiang, 2010;Wan et al, 2012a,b). Given that domesticated rice was discovered at this site, it is possible that these small angular starch grains are probably from compound grains of O. sativa which might be disaggregated by grinding.…”

Early millet use in northern China

“…Our starch keys and classifications emphasize attributes demonstrated by previous studies (17,(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31) to be useful in identification: overall grain shape; contour and surface features; position and form of the hilum and fissure, if any; number and characteristics of pressure facets; presence or absence of demonstrable lamellae; and mean length averaged from the measurement of 100-150 grains. Each starch grain observed under the microscope was photographed, then grouped based on morphological features.…”

“…Each starch grain observed under the microscope was photographed, then grouped based on morphological features. In addition to our comparative work, the numerous previously published studies available on starch grain morphology were also consulted (17,(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31).…”

Starch grains from dental calculus reveal ancient plant foodstuffs at Chenqimogou site, Gansu Province

“…Plants in our comparative collection include foxtail millet (Setaria italica), broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum), rice (Oryza sativa), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), oat (Avena sativa), and maize (Zea mays). In addition, the morphology of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), whitethorn (Crataegus pinnatifida), and so on are polygonal [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][19][20][21][22]. However, sizes of rice, oat, buckwheat, whitethorn, and others are all smaller than Group 1.…”