Native use of chili peppers dates back 6,100 years

Friday, February 16, 2007  

Research published in today's issue of Science pushes back the date of the use of chili peppers by Native societies.

Evidence of chili use was found at seven sites, with the oldest dating back 6,100 years. That's 1,000 years earlier than the oldest specimen currently on record.

Researchers also found remnants of corn with the chili pepper residue. That suggests the domestication of both items occurred around the same time.

The sites were located in Central America and South America. Researchers say the first domesticated chili peppers may have come from the Amazon.

Get the Story:
One Hot Archaeological Find (The Washington Post 2/16)
pwpwd

$rl Science - http://www.sciencemag.org