People on horseback under the influence of drugs: Hair analysis: Was cannabis consumed as far back as 2,800 years ago?
Cannabis is one of the oldest psychoactive plants used by humans. However, clear evidence of its use for intoxication is rare. Now, ancient hair from a grave has been examined.
Researchers have found evidence that cannabis was used around 2,800 years ago in southern Siberia. Hair samples from individuals buried in a monumental Scythian tomb, known as "Tunnug 1", contained traces of cannabinol, a typical cannabis compound. Over 1,000 hemp plant seeds were also discovered at the site, which may have been used for its intoxicating effects or to mask the smell of decaying flesh during burial rituals.
The study, published in "Science", was conducted by a team led by Gino Caspari from the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Jena and the University of Bern.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
