The World's Oldest Rice

At the age of 15,000 years, a few grains of burned rice in Korea are now recognized as the
world’s oldest rice. Since scientists have long believed they would find the oldest rice in China,
this discovery came as a bit of a surprise.

Prior to this discovery, experts believed that rice cultivation began about 12,000 years ago in
China. The Korean discovery pushes back the earliest date for rice cultivation by at least 3,000
years.

A total of 59 grains of carbonized rice was found during excavations at Sorori in the Chungbuk
Province. Their age alone was enough to generate a great deal of excitement, but there was
more. The ancient grains are generally different from modern rice.  This will allow researchers
to trace its evolution.  Results of this research may provide insight not into the history of rice,
but may provide clues to the diet and lifestyles of the people who grew and harvested it.

Rice is one of the most valuable foods in the world. More than half the world’s population depends heavily on rice for their primary caloric intake.  More than 575 million tons were grown in 2002.

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