The last meal of an earthquake victim along the Yellow River in northwest China may have been thin millet noodles, a bit of meat, and oil. Not this week, however, but 4000 years ago. Archaeologists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, exploring a community wiped out by both earthquake and flood millennia ago found the noodles safely preserved at the bottom of an upturned bowl.
Millet was in use then for brewing alcoholic beverages and clearly was eaten in other guises as well. Noodle origin theorists have been debating this topic for years, with some debunking China as the homeland of pasta, thinking that noodles were brought to Italy by Arab traders --or at least that noodles existed in both cultures. As well they might have along the line. We know that a lasagna-like pasta was eaten by the Romans.
But the 4000 year-old dating once again gives China the edge in making food history.
Foodie was thrilled to learn of this find--she has little stomach for golden crowns, elaborate beakers and other finds that illuminate the lives of the uber wealthy--it's the bread preserved in the ruins of Pompei , the tiny ancient ears of corn found on the mesa on Albuquerque's west side, and these carelessly entwined noodles in China, the everyday food of everyday folks, that really delight her imagination.
And now she is moved to see if she can make some noodles from millet flour.....hmmm.........
Did anyone try out the new p.kg fun portal? I just tested it and it got tons of stuff on it.
Posted by: Biombatommome | November 24, 2009 at 08:10 PM
I was at the gluten-free store today, and I found noodles made with rice, corn, spelt, quinoa, soy, potato, and tapioca, but not millet. Of course, a lot has changed in 4,000 years.
Posted by: Cynthia | October 15, 2005 at 05:09 PM
Daughter number one was telling me about this today. I hadn't heard this on this side of the water.
I too am fascinated to learn of early pasta. But millet...what were they thinking?
Posted by: KathyF | October 14, 2005 at 06:30 AM
I find things like this immensely poignant. It reminds us that throughout history, and even into prehistory, life is made up of ordinary people who are just trying to get through the day -- and often not making it.
But on an intellectual level, I'm delighted to have the update on the early pasta.
Posted by: Cynthia | October 13, 2005 at 03:24 PM