Beer was here! A new microstructural marker ...

[Blattspitze]

... for malting in the archaeological record.
...
"Structural changes in the germinating grain, described decades ago by plant physiologists and brewing scientists alike, have now successfully been turned into a diagnostic feature for archaeological malt, even if the grains concerned are only preserved as pulverized and burnt crusts on pottery. A "small side effect" is the confirmation of the production of malt-based drinks (and beer?) in central Europe as early as the 4th millennium BC."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2 ... 131223.htm