Cannabis used for psychoactive purposes 2,800 years ago, study finds

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 21:09 · Archive

Archaeologists in Siberia found cannabis seeds and preserved hair with active compounds in a 2,800-year-old royal tomb.

Archaeologists from Germany, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland excavated a royal tomb in southern Siberia and found evidence suggesting people used cannabis for psychoactive purposes at least 2,800 years ago. The discovery, at the Tunnug 1 site in the Uyuk Valley, predates previously known cannabis use in neighbouring China by about three centuries.

The tomb belongs to the Scythians, ancient nomads who migrated from Central Asia to southern Russia and Ukraine. Analysis of preserved hair and seeds found in the royal tomb showed both plant matter and human tissue contained active compounds in the same archaeological context. 'It's extremely rare that we have both preserved plant parts and human soft tissue with the active compounds in it in the same context,' said Gino Caspari, an archaeologist at the University of Bern.

Whether the cannabis was consumed through inhalation or ingestion remains unclear. The dig began in 2017, with the team working in remote conditions across the spring-to-autumn season, facing swamps, snowstorms, frosts and swarms of mosquitoes.

How it is being reported

• Seeds, preserved hair in tomb point to oldest signs of cannabis high 2,800 years ago, study suggestsA new study suggests people were using cannabis for psychoactive purposes at least 2,800 years ago.Clickorlando · 5 Nov, 20:24
• Seeds, preserved hair in tomb point to oldest signs of cannabis high 2,800 years ago, study suggestsA new study suggests people were using cannabis for psychoactive purposes at least 2,800 years ago.News4Jax · 5 Nov, 20:24

In this story: University of Bern · Gino Caspari · Siberia · Scythians · Uyuk Valley · China

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