Ancient Siberian tomb reveals surprising secrets of cannabis use 2,800 years ago
Archaeologists have discovered 2,800-year-old cannabis seeds and chemical evidence in a Siberian tomb, confirming the plant's use for intoxicating effects in ancient burial rituals. This provides the oldest directly dated evidence of recreational cannabis use.
Why it matters
This discovery offers new insights into the cultural and ritualistic practices of the ancient Scythian people and the history of human psychoactive plant use.
A remarkable discovery in a nearly 2,800-year-old Siberian tomb has provided the oldest directly dated archaeological evidence that people used cannabis for its intoxicating effects. By examining ancient cannabis seeds and chemical traces preserved in human hair, researchers have uncovered new clues about the role of the plant in prehistoric burial rituals.
Cannabis is among the most widely used psychoactive plants in the modern world, but tracing its use thousands of years into the past presents a major archaeological challenge. Flowers, leaves, and resins tend to decompose over time, leaving little physical evidence behind. Ancient communities also relied on cannabis for practical purposes, including producing fiber and oil, making it difficult to distinguish these uses from medicinal or recreational consumption.
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