Archaeologists have uncovered a significant discovery in the remote region of Guam, revealing 3,500-year-old rice remains that provide new insights into the early history of Remote Oceania. The phytoliths, microscopic plant fossils, were found in the Ritidian Site Complex, located at the northernmost point of the island. This discovery, published in the journal Science Advances, marks the earliest evidence of rice in the region, offering a glimpse into the agricultural and cultural practices of ancient people.
Michael T. Carson, a professor at the University of Guam, explained that the rice remains were preserved in ancient pottery, suggesting a special role in rituals. The absence of phytoliths from other artifacts like stone and shell tools, as well as the surrounding sediment, reinforces the idea that rice was used in significant cultural ceremonies. The cave site also contained rare rock art and formal burial pits, indicating a complex social structure and belief system.
The presence of rice in the cave, along with artifacts like fine pottery, shell pendants, and ornaments, points to a highly specialized cultural role for the site. Carson emphasized that the rice must have been transported by the first settlers of Guam over 3,500 years ago, highlighting the navigational prowess of these ancient mariners. They traveled across 2,300 km of open ocean, a record for long-distance ocean migration at the time, and successfully established rice cultivation on their new island home.
Researchers suggest that the rice was likely processed elsewhere, away from the cave, to avoid spoilage in the damp environment. Hsiao-chun Hung, a researcher from the Australian National University, noted that the absence of rice processing traces on the pottery supports this theory. This discovery adds to the growing body of archaeological evidence that ancient food practices offer a unique window into the past, with similar findings including a 5,000-year-old loaf of ancient bread and evidence of historical food practices in the American Southwest.