Chopsticks date back thousands of years with silver versions used by elites in China, Korea
Recent discovery of 800-year-old chopsticks highlights just how little the technology has changed over thousands of years
Some inventions have remained virtually flawless since their inception, requiring only the most subtle adjustments throughout history. Chopsticks exemplify this beautifully.
An excavation in southwest China’s Sichuan province in mid-September unearthed a pair of metal chopsticks from the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) that appear as though they could have been cleaned and set for the evening meal.
The remarkable stability of chopsticks over the past millennium is particularly noteworthy, especially considering that their design would have closely resembled the utensils used by ancient hunter-gatherers. In essence, chopsticks have undergone little change for over 3,000 years.
“Chopsticks were found from the Neolithic period (around 1200 BC), but I believe their evolution into dedicated eating utensils began during the Warring States period (475-221 BC), or in the ages following Confucius,” noted Q. Edward Wang, eminent professor at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Rowan University in the US and author of Chopsticks: A Cultural and Culinary History.
Wang told the Post that the earliest chopsticks emerged in northern China, crafted from bamboo and wood for centuries. However, due to the biodegradable nature of these early chopsticks, which led to rapid deterioration, metal chopsticks were developed for greater durability.
The Southern Song dynasty chopsticks, made of copper, are particularly intriguing given that metal chopsticks were more widespread during the Tang dynasty (618-907).
Zheng Lu, a PhD student in East Asian Cultural Studies at the University of Arizona in the US, explained that chopsticks gained rapid popularity due to their versatility, as they could be used for eating and cooking.
“The demand for cooked food and the prevalence of ceramic cooking likely spurred the invention of chopsticks. While spoons appeared earlier, chopsticks proved more versatile in cooking, allowing users to check, stir, and taste their dishes,” she said.
