The Oldest Evidence of Cannabis Use Found in Siberia: The Discovery is 2800 Years Old

In Siberia, scientists have discovered evidence of cannabis use for intoxicating effects nearly 2800 years ago. Traces of the ancient plant were found in a Scythian tomb in the Republic of Tuva. The study established the possible role of cannabis in the burial rituals of ancient nomadic peoples. This was reported by the University of Bern, with the research materials published in the scientific journal Science. An international group of researchers led by archaeologist Gino Caspari studied an ancient burial belonging to representatives of Scythian culture. During the excavations, specialists discovered about a thousand cannabis seeds. Radiocarbon analysis of six seeds showed that they date back to the early 8th century BC. However, the main evidence of the plant's use was obtained from the analysis of human hair preserved in the central burial chamber. Using high-precision mass spectrometry, specialists found chemical traces of cannabinol (CBN) in several samples, which forms from the oxidation of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the main psychoactive substance in cannabis. Weaker signals corresponding to THC were also identified. According to the researchers, the results indicate that the buried individuals consumed cannabis specifically for its psychoactive properties, rather than solely using the plant for fiber production or oil extraction. At the same time, scientists cannot yet determine how the plant was consumed — it could have been smoked or ingested in another way. The context of the find is particularly interesting. The tomb turned out to be part of a large burial complex where complex ceremonies with animal sacrifices were conducted. In particular, archaeologists previously discovered the remains of 18 horses intentionally placed in the mound. Subsequent excavations revealed traces of additional horse sacrifices, as well as human bones. Researchers suggest that cannabis may have played an important role in the rituals accompanying the burial of Scythian nobility. Scientists emphasize that the discovered seeds, taken separately, do not prove the intentional cultivation of cannabis for its intoxicating properties. It is also unknown how high the THC content was in ancient plants. Currently, the international team is studying the genetic material of the found seeds. Analysis of ancient DNA may help establish how the domestication of cannabis occurred and how the plant spread across Eurasia over the millennia. According to the authors of the study, the combination of archaeological finds and chemical traces in human hair represents the oldest known directly dated evidence of psychoactive cannabis use to date.