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Our ancestors got high, in the name of God Report. Metro looks at a new study that reveals how our ancestors took drugs on religious grounds.
Today’s faith leaders scorn upon people getting drunk and high, but in the ancient world alcohol and drugs were part and parcel of religious activities, experts say. A new study by Spain’s University of Valladolid suggests that prehistoric people used mind-altering substances such as alcohol, opium poppies and psychogenic mushrooms in their sacramental ceremonies. A team of researchers found prehistoric bodies containing alcohol, opium and cannabis buried in ceremonial sites across Europe and Asia. Their study examines remnants from a funeral cave from Neanderthal times, about 60,000 BC ago. “We found that in territories where there are plants with hallucinogenic properties, drugs were used for medicinal and religious purposes,” lead study author Elisa Guerra-Doce told Metro. One key example in the study was an archaeological site near Bucharest, Romania, where experts found burnt Cannabis seeds. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, is predominantly found in the female plants of Cannabis. “There are evidence that marijuana was burned in small incense burners or braziers and the resulting fumes were inhaled”, said Guerra-Doce. Researchers also concluded that prehistoric people smoked, inhaled and even bit on opium seeds as part of their ritualistic acts. The
COMPARISON BETWEEN ANCIENT & MODERN DRUGS
Use of drugs in prehistory
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This is a photograph of a golden tray that was created in Colombia during pre-Hispanic times. This kind of tray was used to hold psychoactive substances, as is also indicated by the middle-seated figure who is shown inhaling the contents of the tray by means of a long straw.
Cave paintings at Serra da Capivara, Brazil: Experts claim that prehistoric drawings were created under the influence of narcotics and alcohol. / WIKIPEDIA COMMONS Quote
“We found that in territories where there are plants with hallucinogenic properties, drugs were used for medicinal and religious purposes,” Elisa Guerra-Doce, Lead study author and prehistoric expert at Spain’s University of Valladolid
remains of a seed capsule of the opium poppy were found wedged in the teeth of a man buried at a Neolithic mine in Gavà, Barcelona. Similarly, the presence of the alkaloid hyoscyamine next to remains of beer on a couple of Spanish sites (one beaker and other vacceo, respectively) indicated that any plant of the family of the Solanaceae in order to en-
‘MAGIC MUSHROOMS’
hance the intoxicating effect was added to the drink. Bodily residues of alcohol also indicate that many ancient peoples across Europe and Asia consumed fruit wines, mead, beer and fermented dairy drinks. People living in the Zagros Mountains of northern Iran were drinking wine made with pine resin in 5,000BC, researchers noted. Meanwhile,
METHAMPHETAMINE
scientists found evidence of a professional winery in Armenia dating from 4,000BC. In addition, in sites across Spain they found the presence of alkaloid hyoscyamine, a property used to enhance the intoxicating effect of alcohol. Another study found that primitive men painted cave art under the influence of drugs. Researchers from University of Tokyo founded that patterns found in various cave drawings across the world closely resemble the shapes seen when the brain experience a hallucinogen, a reaction known as the Turing Instabilities. “Studies conducted during the first half of the last century showed that the ingestion
“Murals indicate drug use” TOM FROESE
Slang term for the psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms that produce hallucinations.
Synthetic drug made of amphetamine-type chemicals – comes in tablets, powder, or crystals.
HOW TO CONSUME
Orally
Smoked, injected, snorted or taken orally
EFFECTS
A good trip, making you feel confident, relaxed and in good spirits
Increased levels of activity and feelings of arousal.
RISKS
Psychiatric disease and memory impairment; poison.
Severe psychosis, heart failure, anorexia, respiratory problems
of certain substances could produce hallucinations of abstract patterns, such as dots, lattices, spirals and waves. And these elements were found in much prehistoric art across the world, suggesting drugs played a role,” study author Tom Froese told Metro. While there is no specific data on the quantity of drugs consumed by prehistoric men, however, researchers highlight that unlike today drugs were not used not so much for hedonistic purposes as spiritual and artistic elevation.
DANIEL CASILLAS MWN
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This is a image of a bowl in the shape of a toad that was discovered among the ruins of ancient Teotihuacan, Mexico. The two poison glands on the side of its neck are clearly visible. The poison contains a powerful psychoactive substance that is similar to the one used in ayahuasca by Amazonian shamans.
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This image shows several kinds of Turing patterns that can emerge in even the simplest systems. Similar patterns can emerge in the visual system of the brain when its activity becomes disinhibited during altered states of consciousness.
Q&A
Behavioral scientist at the University of Tokyo
WHAT IS IT?
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What first led experts to believe prehistoric people took drugs? Studies conducted during the first half of the last century showed that the ingestion of certain substances could produce hallucinations of abstract patterns, such as dots, lattices, spirals and waves. And these elements were found in much prehistoric art across the world, suggesting drugs played a role. What key examples of such drug-fuelled artwork is there?
The easiest indication is when the art content depicts the source of substance itself. For example, in Spain there is a prehistoric mural painting depicting mushrooms that experts have identified as a psychoactive species. In pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica, people created sculptures of mushrooms and poisonous toads, whose psychoactive substances were used in traditional rituals. What kind of products did they consume? Alcohol: the farming of grains in ancient Mesopotamia and maize in ancient Mesoamerica was closely associated with production of beer. Another important substance was cannabis: it was widespread in the ancient world and took on special ritual significance in Europe and Asia, particularly India. The use of psychoactive mushrooms
Cave of hands in Santa Cruz, Argentina / WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
was probably also widespread; surviving traditions are best known for Siberia and Mexico. Throughout the Americas smoking wild tobacco has long been used to induce altered states. There are many other famous examples, such as the peyote cactus in Mexico, ayahuasca in Amazonia, ibogaine in Africa, opium poppy in Europe, etc.