The earliest known use of rice by humans is traced back to the middle and lower Yangzi River Valley region of China.
Evidence of Early Rice Use
Archaeological evidence supports this claim through the discovery of rice phytoliths (silicon microfossils of plant cell structures) at the Xianrendong and Diotonghuan sites.
- Location: Middle and lower Yangzi River Valley region of China.
- Sites: Xianrendong and Diotonghuan.
- Evidence: Rice phytoliths.
- Dating: 11,000–12,000 BC (Zhao, 1998).
Significance of the Discovery
This discovery indicates that rice was utilized as early as 11,000 to 12,000 BC, marking it as one of the earliest instances of rice cultivation and consumption known to archaeologists. The reference (Zhao, 1998) highlights the importance of phytolith analysis in understanding the history of plant use by humans.
