Care for a Nice, Chocolatey Beer?

Scientists have pushed back the start date for humanity's addiction to chocolate. Using new techniques, Cornell University anthropologists discovered caffeine and theobomine, which comes from cacao, in numerous pottery shards dating to 1100 BC.

The shards, discovered in the Ulua Valley of Honduras, at a site called Puerto Escondido, were probably pieces of a drinking vessel. Based on the shape of the chalice, the scientists say that the liquid contained inside was probably a bit more like beer than hot chocolate.

Apparently, a brewing company is working with the scientists to reproduce it. Do they actually think it's going to taste any good?—Gregory Mone

(Image credit: Yolanda Tovar)