Rice paddies found in Hanoi, estimated to be 3,000 years old, will be sent for dating in Japan to confirm.
“3000-year-old†paddies to be tested for date
Vietnam Net Bridge, 09 June 2010
While excavating a historical site named Thanh Den in Hanoi’s Me Linh district, archaeologists discovered many burnt paddies in a layer of soil estimated to be 3000 years old. A dozen of the paddies sprouted while soaked in a preservative.
Agricultural scientists are very excited, saying this is a very rare phenomenon.
Scientists said even the most modern technology can only preserve seeds that can sprout 50-100 years later at maximum. It is necessary to analyze the carbon content of these paddies to have an accurate and convincing answer.
I’ve been reading a Vietnamese blog (via google translate) that has been talking about this. The really excitement is that some of the 3000-year old seeds appear to have sprouted and are growing. Although Google translate says it is actually amaranth and not rice. Here’s the blog: http://dzunglam.blogspot.com/
Doh! Typo. really=real – the REAL excitement is…