Archaeologists find 2,000 year-old beef portion in ancient tomb in northwest China Read more: Archaeologists find 2,000 year-old beef portion in ancient tomb in northwest China - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/archaeologists-find-2-000-year-old-beef-portion-in-ancient-tomb-in-northwest-china-1.150100##ixzz28EP8r8G7

XI'AN: Archaeologists said a black substance found in an ancient tomb in northwest China's Shaanxi province is a 2,000-year-old portion of beef.

Scientists arrived at the conclusion after months of analysis confirmed the substance's makeup, according to Hu Songmei, a paleontologist from the provincial archaeological institute.

Xinhua news agency reports that according to Hu, the beef -- most of which had been carbonised -- is the earliest beef product discovered in China.

The beef was discovered two years ago in a bronze pot placed in a tomb believed to date back to the Warring States Period (475 B.C. - 221 B.C.), said Hu.

The tomb was discovered during a excavation conducted by the institute from 2009 to 2010 in Wanli village in the provincial capital of Xi'an.

"The beef did not shrink, which proves that it had been dried before being put into the pot," said Hu. Bernama

Read more: Archaeologists find 2,000 year-old beef portion in ancient tomb in northwest China - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/archaeologists-find-2-000-year-old-beef-portion-in-ancient-tomb-in-northwest-china-1.150100##ixzz28EPGA2QU