{
  "id": 18367604,
  "title": "Seeds, preserved hair in tomb point to oldest signs of cannabis high 2,800 years ago, study suggests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/seeds-preserved-hair-in-tomb-point-to-oldest-signs-of-cannabis-high-2",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T20:26:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/sci-tech/2026/11/05/seeds-preserved-hair-in-tomb-point-to-oldest-signs-of-cannabis-high-2800-years-ago-study-suggests"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "People may have been using cannabis for psychoactive purposes as early as 2,800 years ago, according to a new study. Archaeologists uncovered evidence at a monumental tomb in Siberia, suggesting the earliest known use of the plant for its mind-altering effects. This predates previously known use in neighboring China by nearly three centuries. The findings include cannabis seeds and preserved human hair found in the royal tomb, which could indicate the plant's cultural importance. However, the method used to analyze the hair is considered scientifically weak and lacks sufficient evidence to confirm drug use.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Cannabis used for psychoactive purposes 2,800 years ago",
    "Seeds and preserved hair found in Siberian royal tomb",
    "Precedents cannabis use in China by nearly 300 years"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}