Investigation of ancient noodles, cakes, and millet at the Subeixi Site, Xinjiang, China

Abstract Ancient foodstuffs, including noodles, cakes, and common millet, were excavated from the Subeixi Cemeteries (cal. 500–300 years BC), Turpan District in Xinjiang, China. Starch grain and phytolith analyses were undertaken to identify the plant species involved. These indicate that the noodles and cakes were made from Panicum miliaceum . Ancient food preparation technologies were also investigated by cooking experiments.