Starch remains from human teeth reveal the Bronze and Early Iron Ages vegetal diet of Xinjiang, Northwest China

Abstract

China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has long been a vital link between Europe and Eastern Asia. Xinjiang's geographical location and natural environment have led to unique dietary habits and traditions among both the region's modern inhabitants and their ancient forebears. Here, we report on the analysis of human dental residue samples unearthed from the Jiayi Cemetery, a 10 th to 2 nd century BCE mortuary complex located in the Turpan Basin, Xinjiang, generating ancient starch granules produced by vegetal foodstuffs. Morphological analysis of starch granules and comparative data indicate that crops of Triticeae tribe and subfamily Panicoideae comprised a large portion of the diet, whereas common legumes, nuts, root, and tuber were also present, although in relatively smaller proportions. The discovery of these plant starch granules in archaeological context provides direct evidence of the Jiayi population's vegetal diet and sheds light on agricultural practices during this period. With supporting evidence drawn from zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical, and paleo-isotopic studies of Bronze Age sites in Xinjiang, we conclude that the people interred in the Jiayi Cemetery practiced cereal crop cultivation and animal husbandry in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages. The species of cereal crops represented suggest meaningful economic communication between Central and