漢景帝墓出土世界最古老茶葉

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest tea in the world among the treasures buried with a Chinese emperor. New scientific evidence suggests that ancient Chinese royals were partial to a cuppa – at least 2150 years ago. Indeed, they seem to have liked it so much that they insisted on being buried with it – so they could enjoy a cup of char in the next world.

考古學家在一位中國皇帝的陪葬品中，發現了世界上最古老的茶葉。這一新的科學證據表明，中國的古代皇室是偏愛茶，至少在2150年前是這樣的。事實上，這些皇室似乎很喜歡茶葉，以至於他們堅持要與它一起埋葬，這樣他們可以在另外一個世界享受一杯熱茶。

The new discovery was made by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

這一新的發現是由中國科學院的研究人員提出的。

The high-quality tea leaves found in the tomb of the Han Dynasty Emperor Jing Di, who died in 141 BC, are 2,150 years old.

這些高品質茶葉是在漢景帝墓中出土的。漢景帝卒於公元前141年，因此這些茶葉已有2150年曆史。

By examining tiny crystals trapped between hairs on the surface of the leaves and by using mass spectrometry, they were able to work out that the leaves, buried with a mid second century BC Chinese emperor, were actually tea.

研究人員通過研究茶葉表面絨毛間的微小晶體並利用質譜分析法，分析出了與這位公元前2世紀皇帝一起埋葬的陪葬品中的葉子就是茶葉。

The scientific analysis of the food and other offerings in the Emperor's tomb complex have also revealed that, as well as tea, he was determined to take millet, rice and chenopod with him to the next life.

對漢景帝墓葬羣中的食物和其他祭品的科學分析結果顯示，除了茶，漢景帝還決定帶着穀子、大米以及藜科植物去另一個世界。

Other items included weapons, pottery figurines, an 'army' of ceramic animals and several real full size chariots complete with their horses.

此外，其他發現的物品還包括武器、陶瓷雕像，陶瓷動物和幾輛馬匹完備的真正的戰車等等。