Scientists of China's Institute of Geology and Geophysics have come to the conclusion that tea, which was discovered in one of the ancient monasteries in Tibet's Ngari prefecture, was grown nearly 1800 years ago.

According to the specialists, Tibet is distinguished by its rigorous climate and tea doesn’t grow there. This means that the discovered tea was brought from neighboring districts, Informing reports.  

1800 years ago Kingdom of Zhang Zhung was located in Ngari Prefecture, which is situated at an average height of 4500 m above sea level. The local nobility liked to drink tea very much and also used it during funeral honors.

The scientists earlier supposed that in ancient times tea was taken to Central Asia from China via the Silk Road, but there was no proof on this down to Tang Dynasty (618 – 907).  

During excavations round Ngari prefecture in 2012, the archaeologists found small amount of organic remnants, which the scientists said was nothing but tea leaves.