In 2002,[6] archaeologists found an earthenware bowl containing the world's oldest known noodles, measured to roughly 4000 years BP through radiocarbon dating, at the Lajia archaeological site along the Yellow River in China.[6][7] The noodles were found well-preserved.[6][8] They were described as resembling the traditional lamian noodle of China, which is made by "repeatedly pulling and stretching the dough by hand."[7] The composition of the oldest noodles was studied by a team of Chinese researchers, who determined the noodles were made from foxtail millet and broomcorn millet.[6][7][8][9]
The earliest written record of noodles is found in a book dated to the Eastern Han period (25–220) of China.[8] Noodles, often made from wheat dough, became a staple food for people of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE).[10] In Tang Dynasty, the noodles were first cut into strips, and in Yuan Dynasty, the making of dried noodles began. It is also noted that the Chinese presented Marco Polo with noodles during his exploration.[citation needed]