Discovery sheds light on early rice cultivation

"We found carbonized rice and rice husks at the site. And scholars have studied them with the conclusion that they belong to domesticated rice. Since rice has been domesticated, where is the rice field? Now, we may have found it," says Zhang.

Moreover, the potential rice field is not solitary, but is a complete system. According to Zhang, covering an area of 70,000 square meters, the site has the rice field and two platforms surrounded and separated by a moat. The layout is like a pear, with one smaller platform in the north, a larger one in the south and the field to the east of these platforms.

Zhang says the settlements should be on the platforms, which are yet to be excavated.

To the west of the site, scholars have found an ancient waterway and pond. There seems to be a suspected ancient ditch linking the pond with the moat, maybe an artificial drainage ditch, he adds.

They also discovered an area to the west of the site where a large amount of wild rice seemed to have grown.

"This means the local environment was favorable for the natural growing of rice and the area had conditions for people to domesticate rice. Maybe that was why people were attracted to settle in this place," says Zhang.

"From discoveries at the site, we generally believe during this period, the framework of rice agriculture society had gradually become clear and may have even surpassed the formation stage," he adds.