Ancient Rice Discovery in Guam

Rice remnants dating back 3,500 years have been found in Guam, marking the earliest known evidence of rice in remote Oceania.

This discovery was made by archaeologists at the Ritidian site complex, situated at the northernmost point of Guam.

Michael T. Carson, an archaeology professor at the University of Guam in Mangilao, has recently shared his findings in the Journal Science Advances.

In an interview, he explained to Fox News Digital that the rice was located in the form of plant-based materials.

“Pyritis is essentially like a fossilized version of ancient plant parts,” Carson noted.

He elaborated that the original plant materials were predominantly silica-based, surviving for thousands of years while retaining details that could be analyzed under a microscope.

The recovered pyritis included various examples of rice shells and leaves, according to Carson.

Interestingly, rice was only found associated with ancient earthenware pottery.

“This strong connection is quite convincing since the plant remains were completely absent from other artifacts like stone tools and shells,” he explained.

Experts suggest that rice may have held a significant role in rituals conducted in the area.

“Additionally, the cave also featured rare rock art and well-structured burial pits,” Carson added.

He also pointed out that the discarded shells found nearby were different from those commonly seen in the local diet.

Notably, other caves in the region show no evidence of rice.

Carson asserted that the rice must have been introduced by Guam’s earliest settlers over 3,500 years ago.

“These individuals undertook an impressive journey of 2,300 kilometers across open ocean, setting a record for long-distance ocean travel back then,” he remarked.

He praised their accomplishments, noting they successfully transported rice, cultivated it, and produced crops in their new island homes.

This raises an interesting question: how did these ancient people prepare the rice?

Researcher Hsiao-Chun Hung from the Australian National University suggested that the cooking likely occurred away from the cave itself.

“It’s probable that rice was cooked elsewhere, as the processing and cooking would have left distinct traces,” she mentioned.

She added that the humid conditions of the cave would not be suitable for storing raw rice. The excavation also revealed that debris was only found on ceramic surfaces, indicating that normal food storage practices weren’t employed.

These latest findings aren’t the first of their kind; there have been rare discoveries of ancient foods that offer glimpses into the past.

Earlier this year, archaeologists uncovered well-preserved bread that dates back 5,000 years.

In the southwestern United States, researchers from the University of Utah recently showcased evidence of historical food practices through an analysis of the bedrock “kitchen.”