An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c7.s2.6

v1.c7.s2.6

It remains undetermined if the oldest record from Thailand (Non Nok Tha, 4000 B.C., dates erratic) was wild or cultivated. A Chinese record from Ch'ing-p'u Prefecture of Kiangsu Province is dated 3995±105 B.C by bristle-cone pine dating. [The specimen has been dated 3395±105 B.C. by ¹⁴C method. The oldest specimen, dated between 5895±115 and 6310±100 B.P. by ¹⁴C method, comes from Yu-yao Prefecture of Chekiang Province. Information from Dr T.T. Chang of International Rice Res. Inst.] The cereal was possibly domesticated independently in several countries including the Ganga plains, s. China and s.-e. Asia. Man's acquaintance with wild rices apparently predates domestication as suggested by imprints on potsherds. Grains of wild perennial rices are still gathered by aboriginal tribes in Jaipur tract of Orissa. Wild paddy (*tinni*, *uri*, *jhara*, *deobhat*) is gathered and eaten by Brahmins on fast days.