2,300-Year-Old Liquor Found in Bronze Pot in China's Ningxia

Archaeologists in northwest China have uncovered a remarkably preserved alcoholic beverage dating back 2,300 years. The liquid was found inside a bronze pot at the Shanjiabu cemetery in Guyuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a site associated with the Qin State during the Warring States Period (475 BC–221 BC).

The vessel, a garlic-bulb-shaped bronze pot typical of the Qin State, yielded 3,740 milliliters of liquid. Project lead Wang Xiaoyang of the Ningxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology confirmed that testing identified the contents as a grain-based wine.

The drink's survival is attributed to the pot's sophisticated sealing system, which featured a dual layer of textile fabric and organic mud. This barrier effectively blocked external contaminants for over two millennia.

A joint research team from the Ningxia Institute and Northwest University employed advanced techniques, including infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, to analyze the liquid. They identified 24 compound categories, including organic acids, amino acids, and carbohydrates. The organic acid profile matched that of artificially aged rice liquor, confirming a fermented grain beverage.

Further analysis of starch grains from wheat and barley revealed evidence of grinding, heating, and microbial degradation. This indicates that the Qin people used grain-based fermentation starters, enabling simultaneous saccharification and fermentation—a sign of advanced brewing knowledge.

Researchers believe this is the best-preserved liquid alcohol relic from the era publicly reported to date. The find fills a gap in the archaeological record of ancient brewing in Ningxia and offers valuable insights into agriculture, food culture, and craftsmanship during the pre-Qin period. The cemetery, located near a Qin-built section of the Great Wall, has yielded 183 excavated tombs as of 2024.