Alcoholic Drinking Practices During the Late Neolithic Longshan Culture in the Central Plains, North China

Abstract Neolithic China witnessed a major sociopolitical transition during the third millennium BC in the Yellow River valley. One notable development was the exchange and dispersal of objects associated with ritual activities and ideology at an interregional level. This is exemplified by diverse pottery types linked to fermented beverages discovered at many walled regional centers of the late Longshan culture. To delve into the drinking practices intertwined with ritualistic activities, we undertook a comprehensive examination of microfossil remains (starch, phytolith, and fungi) on pottery vessels excavated from the Pingliangtai site, a walled settlement in eastern Henan (ca. 2300 − 2000 cal. BC). Our analyses revealed the functions of diverse vessel types, demonstrating that most vessel forms were associated with the production and consumption of fermented alcoholic beverages. The fermentation method involved the use of a qu starter compound containing mainly Monascus mold, yeast, and cereals to brew cereal-based beer. The drinking rituals involved several sequential steps, from heating and pouring, to serving individualized drinks to the living and deities. This form of ritual feasting emphasized individual status, differing sharply from the group drinking tradition of the previous local Yangshao culture. This practice originated in the east coast region and dispersed to the Central Plains as a component of the regional interaction sphere. This research provides fresh insights into the functionality of pottery and the significance of alcohol-related rituals as societies evolved towards greater complexity and stratification, setting the stage for the emergence of early dynastic states in the Central Plains.