What persuaded our prehistoric ancestors to begin farming? The need for a reliable food supply seems an obvious explanation. But some archaeologists have proposed another motivation: a thirst for beer.

Known as the “beer before bread” theory, the idea suggests that the desire to brew fermented drinks may have helped encourage early humans to cultivate grain.

At Raqefet Cave in Israel, researchers discovered traces of processed grains in stone mortars used approximately 13,000 years ago. Their findings suggest that the Natufians, a prehistoric people who lived before widespread agriculture, were brewing a fermented drink from wild wheat or barley.

The cave was also a burial site, suggesting that beer may have been prepared for ceremonial feasts honoring the dead.

Such gatherings could have increased demand for grain, encouraging people to cultivate plants they previously gathered in the wild.

But did beer really come before bread?

Archaeologists have discovered remains of flatbread in Jordan dating back approximately 14,400 years, making them older than the brewing evidence.

Both discoveries predate farming, and whether beer helped inspire agriculture remains an open question.

Still, it's an intriguing possibility: one of humanity's most consequential inventions may have been encouraged, at least in part, by the desire to get together for a drink.