Turpan Basin Research Articles

New Jurassic spinicaudatans from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of northwestern China and their evolutionary implications

New Jurassic clam shrimps have been discovered respectively from the Hettangian lower part of the Badaowan Formation in the Junggar Basin, and the Oxfordian upper part of the Qiketai Formation in the Turpan Basin of Xinjiang, northwestern China. Through the examination under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) of well-preserved specimens we have described a new genus Punctatestheria n. gen., which includes two new species Punctatestheria lianmuqinensis n. gen. n. sp. and Punctatestheria karamayensis n. gen. n. sp. Given their similar punctate carapace ornamentation pattern, the British Bajocian–Bathonian species Euestheria trotternishensis is herein attributed to the new genus. Punctatestheria n. gen. first occurred in the Hettangian and ranged into the Oxfordian. This finding supports the previous hypothesis that punctatestheriids have first derived from the Triassic lineage Aquilonoglypta, and then gave rise to triglyptids in the Bathonian, because in Triglypta three kinds of ornaments have ontogenetically developed on the carapace, the juvenile-stage dorsal part of which is ornamented by evenly distributed puncta.

Investigating the materials and manufacture of Jinzi: The lining of Futou (Chinese traditional male headwear) from the Astana Cemeteries, Xinjiang, China

Abstract Headwear research is an integral part of costume study, which is regarded as a cultural symbol of human society. In China, the lining of Futou (Chinese traditional male headwear) is called as Jinzi, whose production information is little known. This paper focuses on the analysis of materials and manufacture of Jinzi, found in Astana Cemeteries (dated from about the 3rd to the 9th centuries C.E.), Turpan Basin, Xinjiang, China. The fibers of Jinzi were identified by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), Light Microscope Examination and Drying-Twist Test; while the black pigment was characterized through Raman Spectroscopy. Proteomics was conducted to analyze the proteinous glue. The results suggested that three Jinzi samples were made from flax mixed with ramie fibers, and one Jinzi sample was made from silk. All of them were painted with carbon black, and animal glue originated from bovine or caprinae was determined in two Jinzi samples. The different manufacture of Jinzi were probably related to the status of the occupiers of tombs. This is a unique report of the scientific analysis about traditional headwear in ancient Xinjiang. It is not only significant complement to the historical literature, but also the utilization of flax and ramie and the wearing of Jinzi shed light on the exchange of the species and culture in ancient Turpan area.

Saccharopolyspora aidingensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from a salt lake.

A novel halophilic actinomycete strain, designated TRM 46074T, was isolated from Aiding salt lake in Turpan Basin, north-west China. Strain TRM 46074T was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive and grew optimally with 12 % (w/v) NaCl. The strain was observed to produce sparse aerial mycelium with long chains of spores that were non-motile and oval or spherical in shape with a rough or smooth surface; substrate mycelium was branched and well developed. The cell wall was determined to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid; the diagnostic whole-cell sugars were galactose, arabinose and ribose. The diagnostic polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-10(H8) and MK-10(H4). The G+C content of the DNA was 70.9 mol%. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain TRM 46074T belongs to the genus Saccharopolyspora. Strain TRM 46074T had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.6 % with the closest described species, Saccharopolyspora ghardaiensis H53T. DNA-DNA hybridization between strain TRM 46074T and Saccharopolysporaghardaiensis H53T showed 58.6 % relatedness. On the basis of the evidence from a polyphasic study, strain TRM 46074T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Saccharopolyspora, for which the name Saccharopolyspora aidingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46074T (=CCTCC AA 2012014T=JCM 30185T).

Turpanopitys taoshuyuanense gen. et sp. nov., a novel woody branch discovered in Early Triassic deposits of the Turpan Basin, Northwest China, and its palaeoecological and palaeoclimate implications

A novel well-preserved woody branch, Turpanopitys taoshuyuanense gen. et sp. nov. was collected in the early Triassic terrestrial deposits in the Turpan Basin, Northwest China. The permineralized wood is characterized by a heterogeneous pith, endarch primary xylem and Protophyllocladoxylon-type secondary xylem. The pith consists of parenchyma cells and supporting diaphragms formed by brick-like sclerenchyma cells. The quantitative growth-ring analyses of T. taoshuyuanense indicate that the species was evergreen, the leaf longevity being comprised between 3 and 15years. T. taoshuyuanense might indicate a warm humid climate with short dry periods in the Turpan basin in the Early Triassic. The Protophyllocladoxylon-type woods were widely distributed in different climate zone in both southern and northern hemispheres during the Palaeozoic and Early Triassic. The growth rings of the woods with Protophyllocladoxylon-type secondary xylem are good indicator for the palaeoclimate. The new specimen indicates that a warm humid climate with irregularly distributed short dry periods in the Early Triassic Turpan basin.

What generated the Late Permian to Triassic unconformities in the southern Junggar Basin and western Turpan Basin; tectonic uplift, or increasing aridity?

The Upper Permian to Triassic sedimentary successions of the southern Junggar Basin and western Turpan Basin are characterized by widespread unconformities. However, the origin of these unconformities remains highly controversial. Three sections, namely the Jimsar section in the southern Junggar Basin and the Aiweiergou and Yuergou sections in the western Turpan Basin, have been systematically studied using detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology, heavy mineral assemblages, and whole-rock geochemical analyses. Detrital zircon ages show that both Upper Permian and Triassic samples from each section have similar age distributions, with a major age group at 250–380Ma, a subordinate age group at 380–540Ma, and sporadic Precambrian ages, suggesting that the main provenance areas were the North Tian Shan and the northern margin of the Yili-Central Tian Shan, with a secondary source area in the Yili-Central Tian Shan. REE distributions and trace element crossplots also indicate that Upper Permian and Triassic samples display similar characteristics in both basins; all were sourced from felsic or mixed mafic/felsic rocks, with only a minor component of ancient or recycled sediments. Detrital provenance and geochemical analyses agree in showing no significant changes in the source-to-sink sediment transport system from the Late Permian to the Triassic. However, field observations, heavy minerals analysis, and geochemistry do suggest that both the southern Junggar Basin and western Turpan Basin experienced an arid climate during this interval. Both Upper Permian and Triassic sediments in the two basins contain abundant hematite, display low CIA values and Th/U ratios, and have mudcracks, redbeds, and other indicators of arid climate. Therefore, we suggest that the regional unconformities in the two basins were not generated by regional tectonic uplift, but most likely resulted from an increasingly arid climate.

Inorganic and organic osmolytes accumulation in five halophytes growing in saline habitats around the Aiding Lake area in Turpan Basin, Northwest China

ABSTRACTHalophytes dominate the plant community in saline soils. Here, osmoregulation via the accumulation of osmolytes is the basic strategy by which plants survive salinity stress. We investigated the accumulation of inorganic and organic osmolytes in the leaves of five halophytes (Tamarix hispida, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Kalidium foliatum, Karelinia caspica, and Phragmites australis) growing in the dry lakebed of Aiding Lake, Xinjiang, China. The succulent euhalophytes (H. strobilaceum and K. foliatum) accumulated large amounts of Na+, whereas other species had low Na+ concentrations. P. australis contained high concentrations of soluble carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, and amino acids, such as proline and alanine. K. caspica accumulated large quantities of mannitol. H. strobilaceum and K. foliatum had high glycine betaine contents. Only T. hispida accumulated γ-butyro betaine, which was found in high concentrations. Our findings indicate that at least four types of osmolytes (carbohydrates, polyols, amino acids, and betaines) function either alone, or in combination in the osmoregulation of these halophytes.

Late Pleistocene (MIS2) environmental changes and palaeoclimatic dynamics around Aiding Lake in the Turpan Basin, Xinjiang Province, NW-China

Late Pleistocene (MIS2) environmental changes and palaeoclimatic dynamics around Aiding Lake in the Turpan Basin, Xinjiang Province, NW-China

托克逊县吐鲁番黑羊种质资源保护利用

吐鲁番黑羊俗称“托克逊黑羊”，中心产区在托克逊县。农牧民在长期的生产生活中、在特殊自然条件、历史文化条件和社会经济条件下，经过上百年的时间选育形成适应夏季酷热、多风沙的吐鲁番盆地气候，耐粗饲的优良地方绵羊品种。本文对吐鲁番黑羊的产区概况、品种形成、品种特性进行了概述，提出了保护利用策略，以求提高吐鲁番黑羊的品质和保护利用该品种。 Turpan black sheep are commonly known as the “Toksun black sheep”, whose central production region is in Toksun County. The herdsmen, in the long-term production and life, under the special natural condition, the historical and cultural condition and the social-economic condition, and over a hundred years, breed fine local sheep adapting to the summer heat, windy Turpan basin climate, with coarse forage. In this essay we will write about the Turpan black sheep production status, variety formation and variety characteristic, and propose the development and protection strategy to improve the Turpan black sheep’s quality.

Paleozoic Orogenic Activity of the Kanggurtag-Yamansu Ductile Shear Zone in the East Tianshan Orogenic Belt, SW China

Kanggurtag-Yamansu ductile shear zone is the largest ductile shear zone in the East Tianshan orogenic belt. Deformation characteristics and structural associations of the shear zone suggest that the shear zone was formed by Nearly N-S compression duing late Carboniferous-early Permian. Which confirmed that the Eastern Tianshan mountains along the southern edge of the Turpan Basin were the results of plate interactions in Late Paleozoic.

Retrieving China’s surface soil moisture and land surface temperature using AMSR-E brightness temperatures

Based on the passive microwave radiative transfer equation, we developed a single-band model for retrieving surface soil moisture () and land surface temperature () using Aqua satellite advanced microwave scanning radiometer (AMSR-E) C-band brightness temperatures () without any ancillary data. National-scale and of China in 2009 were jointly mapped. The average and retrieval errors are 0.037 g cm−3 and 2.00K when validated by in situ measurements and approximately 0.025 g cm−3 and 2.34K when compared with AMSR-E L3 and moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer daily products. In particular, most and estimation errors are under 0.37 g cm−3 and 2.00K, respectively, for regions with the microwave polarization difference index (MPDI) between 0.01 and 0.05, but increased clearly larger for those with MPDI smaller than 0.01 or larger than 0.05, which are mostly dense-vegetated regions in Southwestern China or plateaus and dry deserts such as Inner Mongolia plateau, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Taklimakan Desert and Turpan basin. In summary, the proposed retrieval algorithm might provide a new way to monitor and conditions for penetrable vegetation canopy regions, but further investigations are still needed, especially for specific plateau, desert and frozen regions.

Gaochang Buddhism and the Silk Road

高昌은 교통의 중심지로서 ê³ ëŒ€ 세계에서 실크로드를 통한 동양과 서양 사이의 문화 교류에 중요한 ì—­í• ì„ 담당하였는데, 이는 특히 佛敎의 ì „íŒŒì—ì„œ 두드러진다. 이러한 ê³ ì°½ 불교의 양방향성 ì˜í–¥ë ¥ì€ 불교가 동방으로 ì „íŒŒë§Œì´ 아닌, 서양으로 도 ì „íŒŒë˜ëŠ” ê³¼ì •ì„ 통해 이루어졌다. 이는 문화 교류의 역사 속에서 이 지역의 íŠ¹ìˆ˜í•˜ê³ ì¤‘ìš”í•œ 위치를 ë‚˜íƒ€ë‚´ê³ ìžˆë‹¤. ì£¼ì œì–´: 高昌, 佛敎, 실크로드

Identification and characterization of an unusual glycosyltransferase-like enzyme with β-galactosidase activity from a soil metagenomic library

Glycosyltransferases and glycoside hydrolases are two diversified groups of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in existence, they serve to build and break down the glycosidic bonds, respectively, and both categories have formed many sequence-based families. In this study, a novel gene (glyt110) conferring β-galactosidase activity was obtained from a metagenomic library of Turpan Basin soil. Sequence analysis revealed that glyt110 encoded a protein of 369 amino acids that, rather than belonging to a family typically known for β-galactosidase activity, belonged to glycosyltransferase family 4. Because of this unusual sequence information, the novel gene glyt110 was subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and the recombinant enzyme (Glyt110) was purified and characterized. Biochemical characterization revealed that the β-galactosidase activity of Glyt110 toward o-nitrophenyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (ONPG) and lactose were identified to be 314±18.3 and 32±2.7U/mg, correspondingly. In addition, Glyt110 can synthesize galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) using lactose as substrate. A GOS yield of 47.2% (w/w) was achieved from 30% lactose solution at 50°С, pH 8.0 after 10h reaction. However, Glyt110 was unable to glycosylate either N-acetylated saccharides or lactose and galactose using UDP-gal as sugar donor, and its glycosyltransferase activity needs further investigation. These results indicated that Glyt110 is an unusual enzyme with β-galactosidase activity but phylogenetically related to glycosyltransferase. Our findings may provide opportunities to improve the insight into the relationship between glycosyltransferases and glycoside hydrolases and the sequence-based classification.

Confirmation of a Middle Jurassic age for the Eedemt Formation in Dundgobi Province, southeast Mongolia: constraints from the discovery of new spinicaudatans (clam shrimps)

Two spinicaudatan species, Triglypta eedemtensis Li sp. nov. and Dundgobiestheria mandalgobiensis Li gen. et sp. nov., are described on the basis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of newly collected specimens from paper-thin laminated black shale of the Eedemt Formation exposed at the Eedemt locality in the Khootiin Khotgor coal mine region of Dundgobi Province in southeast Mongolia. Triglypta eedemtensis is ornamented mainly with puncta and a punctate fine reticulum; radial lirae occur only on two or three growth bands near the venter. The small spinicaudatan Triglypta is a common component of the Middle Jurassic Euestheria ziliujingensis fauna and Sinokontikia fauna, and is a typical taxon in the Middle Jurassic lacustrine sequences of northern Hebei and the Junggar and Turpan basins of the Xinjiang Autonomous District of China; however, it does not occur in stratigraphically higher units elsewhere. Therefore, the age of the Eedemt Formation should be considered Middle Jurassic rather than Early Cretaceous. The Eedemt Formation is much older than the Early Cretaceous Shinekhudag Formation in the Shine Khudag area of southeast Mongolia.

Study Breaking Mechanism of Karez Systems in Turpan Basin

The Karez water system is a sophisticated aquatic system developed under severe arid climate conditions. In this paper, we investigated the main cause of deterioration of this valuable ancient aquatic system which has supported Turfan oasis in China for long time. We surveyed the area, Turfan and surrounding cities to assess the current status of management in terms of civil engineering and the future preservation of Karez. Survey results revealed that Karez consists of main-dig canals whose low stability and high risk of collapse make it difficult to further excavate and restore.The Karez system composes mainly four parts that vertical shafts, transporting of water include collecting, open canal and storing water. In the most of the transporting part, the water table is located below the water level inside tunnels, resulting high percentage of water to be lost by percolation. When water percolates through the wall of the tunnel, it is not clear whether or not that enhances wall collapses. This study thus investigated the effect of water percolation on the deformation of walls of the transportation part in Karez channels. We used a numerical analysis program “ABAQUS” to solve coupled groundwater flow and ground deformation problems at the same time. Numerical simulation results showed that the Karez tunnel slowly recharges to groundwater. It also revealed that water rise by capillarity through the wall, which may cause some deterioration to the wall. From numerical simulation, we can get knowledge of flow and deformation for sustainable management and efficient recovery of the ancient Karez system.

Groundwater hydrochemistry and isotope geochemistry in the Turpan Basin, northwestern China

The Turpan Basin is located in the arid zone of northwestern China and is a typical closed inland basin surrounded by high mountains. It is one of the most arid regions in the world and, as a result, the groundwater in this area is very important for both domestic and agricultural uses. In the present study, the relationships of major elements (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3 −, SO4 2− and Cl−) and environmental isotopes (δ18O, δ2H and T) in groundwater were analyzed to investigate the evolution of the regional hydrochemistry within the Turpan Basin. The hydrochemistry results demonstrate that groundwater with high total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration is dominated by sodium chloride (Na-Cl) and sodium sulfate (Na-SO4) type water, whereas that with low TDS concentration (typically from near mountain areas) is dominated by calcium bicarbonate (Ca-HCO3) type water. The evolution of groundwater hydrochemistry within the Turpan Basin is a result of calcium carbonate precipitation, evaporation concentration, cation exchange and dissolution of evaporites (i.e. halite, mirabilite and gypsum). Furthermore, evaporite dissolution associated with irrigation practice plays a key role in the groundwater salinization, especially in the central part of the basin. Environmental isotopes reveal that the groundwater is recharged by precipitation in the mountain areas and fast vertical infiltration of irrigation return flow. In the southern sub-basin the shallow groundwater and the deep groundwater is separated at a depth of about 40 m, with substantial differences in terms of hydrochemical and isotopic characteristics. The results are useful for decision making related to sustainable water resource utilization in the Turpan Basin and other regions in northwestern China.

Proteomics identifies the composition and manufacturing recipe of the 2500-year old sourdough bread from Subeixi cemetery in China

We report on the geLC-MS/MS proteomics analysis of cereals and cereal food excavated in Subeixi cemetery (500-300BC) in Xinjiang, China. Proteomics provided direct evidence that at the Subexi sourdough bread was made from barley and broomcorn millet by leavening with a renewable starter comprising baker's yeast and lactic acid bacteria. The baking recipe and flour composition indicated that barley and millet bread belonged to the staple food already in the first millennium BC and suggested the role of Turpan basin as a major route for cultural communication between Western and Eastern Eurasia in antiquity. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteomics of non-model organisms. We demonstrate that organic residues of thousand year old foods unearthed by archeological excavations can be analyzed by geLC-MS/MS proteomics with good representation of protein source organisms and coverage of sequences of identified proteins. In-depth look into the foods proteome identifies the food type and its individual ingredients, reveals ancient food processing technologies, projects their social and economic impact and provides evidence of intercultural communication between ancient populations. Proteomics analysis of ancient organic residues is direct, quantitative and informative and therefore has the potential to develop into a valuable, generally applicable tool in archaeometry. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteomics of non-model organisms.

Metagenomic approach for the isolation of a thermostable β-galactosidase with high tolerance of galactose and glucose from soil samples of Turpan Basin

Backgroundβ-Galactosidases can be used to produce low-lactose milk and dairy products for lactose intolerant people. Although commercial β-galactosidases have outstanding lactose hydrolysis ability, their thermostability is low, and reaction products have strong inhibition to these enzymes. In addition, the β-galactosidases possessing simultaneously high thermostability and tolerance of galactose and glucose are still seldom reported until now. Therefore, identification of novel β-galactosidases with high thermostability and tolerance to reaction products from unculturable microorganisms accounting for over 99% of microorganisms in the environment via metagenomic strategy is still urgently in demand.ResultsIn the present study, a novel β-galactosidase (Gal308) consisting of 658 amino acids was identified from a metagenomic library from soil samples of Turpan Basin in China by functional screening. After being overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity, the enzymatic properties of Gal308 with N-terminal fusion tag were investigated. The recombinant enzyme displayed a pH optimum of 6.8 and a temperature optimum of 78°C, and was considerably stable in the temperature range of 40°C - 70°C with almost unchangeable activity after incubation for 60 min. Furthermore, Gal308 displayed a very high tolerance of galactose and glucose, with the highest inhibition constant Ki,gal (238 mM) and Ki,glu (1725 mM) among β-galactosidases. In addition, Gal308 also exhibited high enzymatic activity for its synthetic substrate o-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG, 185 U/mg) and natural substrate lactose (47.6 U/mg).ConclusionThis study will enrich the source of β-galactosidases, and attract some attentions to β-galactosidases from extreme habitats and metagenomic library. Furthermore, the recombinant Gal308 fused with 156 amino acids exhibits many novel properties including high activity and thermostability at high temperatures, the pH optimum of 6.8, high enzyme activity for lactose, as well as high tolerance of galactose and glucose. These properties make it a good candidate in the production of low-lactose milk and dairy products after further study.

性别、季节和体型大小对吐鲁番沙虎巢域的影响

Teratoscincus roborowskii is endemic to sand dune habitats in the Turpan Basin,Western China.Its home range was investigated using mark-recapture techniques from June 2008 to May 2009 and compared between the reproductive season(RS,June 2008 to August 2008) and the non-reproductive season(NRS,from September 2008 to May 2009 excluding the 5—6 month period of hibernation).In total,283 individuals were marked by toe-clipping,of which 24 individuals were recaptured more than three times in the RS,and 43 in the NRS(13 were recaptured in both seasons) and were used to quantify home range size.Their minimum convex polygon(MCP) ranges were calculated using MapGis software and analyzed with respect to the effects of factors such as sex,season,and body size.There were significant differences in home range size among male adults,female adults,and juveniles in the NRS,whereas,in the RS,the three groups were not significantly different.There were no significant differences in home range size between the sexes,in either the RS or the NRS.Home range and snout-vent length(SVL) were significantly correlated in the NRS,and home range size and SVL of adults were significantly correlated throughout the whole year(combining RS and NRS data).In the NRS,the home range sizes of adults were significantly larger than that of juveniles.There were significant differences in the home ranges of adults between the RS and the NRS(U=41,P=0.046) but,in juveniles,there was no difference(U=159,P=0.537).There was no difference between sexes in home range size but body size affected the home range.Home range size was correlated with body size,presumably,because of energetic requirements.The absence of a difference between sexes in the size of the home range of T.roborowskii is consistent with the absence of significant sexual dimorphism in body size in this species,and by the need for adult males to establish an optimal habitat.However,chases and intrusions by males were rarely observed and,because the eggs of pregnant females were contained in a relatively small abdominal cavity,the costs of reproduction during the RS were low for both adult males and females.Seasonal shifts in home range size appeared to have complex effects on its temporal-spatial usage(e.g.patterns of daily activity,thermoregulation,and food availability).Since T.roborowskii is a strictly nocturnal reptile,the pattern of daily activity and thermoregulation varied seasonally.Overall,seasonal differences of home range were non-significant but seasonal changes in the reproductive status of many adults led to significant seasonal differences of home range between the RS and the NRS.Juveniles were sexually immature and this was reflected in their non-significant seasonal differences of home range.Food availability exerted significant seasonal effect on adults.Adults occupying preferred areas,which are better for courtship,mating and food requirements,forced juveniles into less favorable areas during the RS.This meant that juveniles foraged over larger areas in the RS than that in the NRS.As the density of the population was increased in the NRS by the birth of new juveniles,this might intensify the trend of widening home range for juveniles.However,there was no significant difference in the home ranges of juveniles at different seasons.In conclusion,the most important factors that determine the home range size of T.roborowskii are seasonal variations in the type and availability of food resources,and reproductive status.

吐鲁番盆地一次极端高温天气过程分析

本文对2010年6月15日~6月22日吐鲁番盆地出现的连续高温天气进行了分析，结果表明：此次高温天气主要是由于受深厚暖高脊持续控制，新疆脊与西太平洋副高在新疆叠加形成闭合高压中心，高压系统区存在较强的下沉运动引起的；同时由于盆地地形特有的聚热作用与地面热低压东移的共同影响，盆地高温出现增幅。 In this paper, a continuous hot weather process was analyzed on Turpan basin from June 15 to June 22, 2010. The results showed that: The hot weather is mainly due to the continuous control of deep warm high ridge. Xinjiang ridge and western Pacific subtropical high formed a closed high-pressure center in Xinjiang. Strong sinking motion at high- pressure system caused the process. At the same time, due to the combined effect of the topography of the basin-specific poly-thermal effects and the eastward shift of the ground thermal low pressure, high temperature of the basin increases.

Changes in wheat starch grains using different cooking methods: Insights into ancient food processing techniques

We investigate the morphological changes in starch grains from wheat(Triticum aestivum) using different cooking methods(boiling,steaming,frying,and baking). We compare the cooked starch grains with starch grains from ancient wheat flour cakes(Astana Cemetery,Turpan Basin,Xinjiang,China) to determine the cooking techniques used by people in Xinjiang 1200 years ago. Heat and water content affect starch grains when different cooking methods are used. Boiling and steaming results in the collapse of wheat starch grains accompanied by extreme swelling,curved granules,pasting,almost full gelatinization,a distinct extinction cross and vague granule outlines. Frying and baking cause less swelling,fewer curved granules,less pasting and only partial gelatinization of wheat starch grains,but the extinction lines are still distinct and the outlines of granules relatively clear. The pale brown substances on the starch grains make starch from baked-wheat products distinct from those cooked using other methods.