Mexican researchers uncover 1,000-year-old earthen pits used to process corn
Source: Xinhua 2016-08-18 13:38:55 [More]
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Circular earthen pits built into the ground at an ancient ceremonial complex in central Mexico were likely used to process corn a thousand years ago, Puebla News daily reported Wednesday.
Four small thousand-year-old pits uncovered at the Old Tehuacan ceremonial complex in Puebla state "could be evidence of pre-Hispanic nixtamalization work," the daily said, citing researchers at the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
Nixtamalizing corn requires soaking the kernels in an alkaline solution, usually made with lime water, before hulling and grinding them for cooking.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-08/18/c_135611029.htm
