{
  "id": 18359799,
  "title": "Tomb in Siberia reveals humans were using cannabis 2800 years ago",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/tomb-in-siberia-reveals-humans-were-using-cannabis-2800-years-ago",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-05T19:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Scientist",
    "slug": "new-scientist",
    "url": "https://www.newscientist.com/article/2597653-tomb-in-siberia-reveals-humans-were-using-cannabis-2800-years-ago/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 2800-year-old tomb in Siberia has revealed the earliest evidence of cannabis being used as a psychoactive drug. The frozen corpses and golden treasures found within the burial mound of the Scythians, nomadic people known for their military prowess, also contained cannabis seeds and a human hair. Chemical analysis detected cannabinol and traces of THC, indicating the individual likely experienced psychoactive effects from the drug. While the exact method of consumption remains unclear, the presence of the drug suggests it was likely used in a ritual funeral process.",
  "summary": "Psychoactive compounds have been found in a hair from a Scythian tomb in Siberia, providing the earliest direct evidence of cannabis being used as a drug",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Science",
        "title": "2,800-year-old tomb in Siberia has evidence of the earliest use of cannabis — possibly as a way to calm human sacrifice victims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/2-800-year-old-tomb-in-siberia-has-evidence-of-the-earliest-use-of",
        "published": "2026-11-05T19:56:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}