Aged wines don't get much older than this. Archaeologists in the west China city of Xi'an discovered June 20 five earthenware jars of 2,000-year-old rice wine in an ancient tomb, and its bouquet was still strong enough to perk up the nose.

1.3 gallons of the almost clear, blue-tinged liquor were found, enough to allow researchers their best opportunity yet to study ancient distilling techniques.

Archaeologist Sun Fuzhi was quoted saying the tomb dated from the early Western Han Dynasty, which held sway over much of the Chinese mainland between 206 BC and AD 25. Liquor from the period has been found in other tombs but never as well preserved, he said.

Liquor made from rice or sorghum grains was a major part of ceremonies and ritual sacrifices in ancient China, with elaborate bronze cups and decanters cast specifically for its use.

Several drinking vessels, along with bronze bells, more than 100 jade pieces and part of a human skull were found in the tomb, which Sun said probably belonged to a member of the Han nobility.

(China Daily June 22, 2003)