From Steve Blyth
Your report that the Göbekli Tepe temple predates agriculture raises an intriguing question: could such religious sites have given rise to arable farming, via gatherings of Mesolithic litter-louts?
Imagine pilgrims congregating at the temple on festival days, bringing provisions, including grain, foraged en route. There would be spillage during exuberant feasts – including seeds. Come rain, a denser than usual mass of cereal would grow. Astute temple caretakers would soon put two and two together. They might even capitalise on the harvest, stocking up and charging pilgrims or refreshments. Word would spread and – hey presto – agricultural revolution.
Roade, Northamptonshire, UK
