Jiahu (賈湖) was the site of a Neolithic Yellow River culture based in the central plains of ancient China, modern Henan Province. Dated at between 7000 and 5000 BC, the site may have predated, or was a contemporary of the Peiligang culture. Discovered by Zhu Zhi in 1962, extensive excavation of the site did not occur until much later.

Jianhu has been the site of many unique discoveries. One of the most significant discoveries from the site was the existence of playable tonal flutes. The flutes were made from Red-crowned Crane wing bones. Evidence of rice cultivation was also found at the site.

Jianhu yielded some of the oldest pottery yet found in Neolithic China. Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania applied chemical analysis to pottery jars from Jiahu and found evidence of alcohol fermented from rice, honey and fruit. Researchers hypothesize that the alcohol was fermented by the process of mold saccharification .

External links

• 9,000 Year Old Chinese Flutes
• Bone flute found in China at 9,000-year-old Neolithic site
• Ancient brew discovered in China
• 9,000-Year History Of Chinese Fermented Beverages Confirmed By Penn Museum Archaeochemist And An International Team Of Scholars
• Neolithic rice cultivation