Feeling Thirsty: What Was The First Beverage? (Video)
The history of beverages reveals a fascinating evolution from our earliest days when humans primarily consumed water. Despite the modern variety of drinks, milk and beer stand out as two of the oldest beverages, each offering insights into early human culture and survival strategies.
- Ancient People Drank Milk Even Though They Were All Lactose Intolerant
- Sip Like a Sumerian: Ancient Beer Recipe Recreated from Millennia-Old Cuneiform Tablets
Milk, believed to be at least 6,000 years old, was a crucial source of nutrition, especially in less sunny climates where vitamin D was scarce. Evidence from ancient skeletons, including the presence of milk proteins in dental plaque, suggests that early humans relied on milk for its nutritional benefits, potentially extending their lifespans.
On the other hand, beer, dating back over 5,000 years, was significant in early social practices. In Sumerian society, beer was so valued that it was used as a form of payment, and up to 40% of Mesopotamian grain production may have been dedicated to brewing. The intoxicating effects of beer likely made it a popular choice for social gatherings, reflecting a more communal aspect of early human life.
These two beverages, milk and beer, highlight different aspects of ancient human priorities—one focused on survival and health, the other on social bonding. Together, they mark the beginning of what scientists refer to as the "modern beverage era," a relatively recent development in the long history of human consumption.
Top image: A range of beverages. Source: Kartik/Adobe Stock
