The group with ZHENG Zuiping as first author reports unearthing a large number of remains and funerary objects including food remains from a cemetery located on the Turpan Basin south of the Gobi desert. Using infrared analysis of starch-like substances, cell analysis of grains and epidermal cell analysis showed that the remains are processed pasta made from wheat and barley which were ground into a powder mixed with cooked food; the composition is dense, indicating unfermented, flatbread similar to today’s.

CAS news release, March 26, 2015