现代科技破解9000年前“古种”的身世之谜

Core Insights - Modern technology has uncovered the identity of ancient seeds dating back 9,000 years, revealing significant agricultural practices in early Chinese civilization [1][3]. Group 1: Research Findings - An international team, including Shandong University and Washington University in St. Louis, published findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, identifying carbonized seeds from the Xiaogao site in Zibo, Shandong, which are 4,000 years older than previously discovered carbonized seeds in China [1][3]. - The discovery includes various crops such as millet, rice, and adzuki beans, with 45 adzuki beans found, indicating early agricultural practices in the Yellow River region [3][4]. Group 2: Methodology - The identification process involves over ten steps, including soil sampling, flotation, sorting, and carbonization experiments, to analyze the seeds' structure and classify them [4][6]. - Carbon-14 dating, known as "nature's clock," is used to determine the age of the seeds by measuring the remaining carbon-14 content, providing precise dating of the ancient seeds [6]. Group 3: Implications - The findings challenge traditional beliefs about the spread of wheat in China, suggesting that wheat may have been present in Shandong earlier than in other regions, which could reshape understanding of agricultural development in ancient China [6]. - The research aims to further explore the evolution of crop combinations in settled societies along the Yellow River, contributing to the understanding of the origins of Chinese civilization and agricultural development [6].