Ancient Siberian tomb holds oldest cannabis evidence

Seeds and hair show ancient use

An international team led by Dr Gino Caspari investigated an elaborate tomb in the Republic of Tyva. Researchers recovered approximately 1,000 cannabis seeds from the burial site during their investigation. Radiocarbon dating determined that six individual seeds were deposited during the early eighth century B.C. The study combines analysis of plant remains with molecular traces found in human hair samples.

Chemical signals confirm intoxicating effects

Chemical evidence in several hair samples pointed to cannabis consumption by the people buried at the site. High-resolution mass spectrometry identified clear chemical signals consistent with cannabinol in those specific samples. CBN forms when tetrahydrocannabinol undergoes oxidation, indicating the primary compound responsible for intoxication was present. Globally, this finding provides the earliest direct archaeological proof of psychoactive cannabis usage that has been dated.

Findings published in Science journal

The findings were published in the journal Science by the University of Bern and Max Planck Institute. Flowers and leaves usually decompose over time, leaving little physical evidence behind for archaeologists to study. Ancient communities relied on cannabis for practical purposes like producing fiber and oil as well. The presence of seeds alone could not establish whether people used the plant for its mind-altering effects.