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Oldest Evidence of Getting High on Cannabis Discovered In 2,800-Year-Old Tomb: ‘Absolutely Crazy’

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Briefings

Archaeologists discovered the oldest direct evidence of psychoactive cannabis use in a 2,800-year-old Siberian tomb, identified by THC traces in preserved human hair. The site, Tunnug 1, contained human and horse sacrifices dating to the 8th century BCE, with over 1,400 cannabis seeds found around the remains. This finding confirms Scythian consumption practices described by Herodotus and marks a unique opportunity to study ancient cannabis genetics and domestication history.

Key points

• THC traces were detected in preserved human hair samples from the 8th century BCE Siberian tomb.
• The discovery includes over 1,400 cannabis seeds and confirms Scythian ritual consumption of the plant.

Context

This study, published in Science, provides the first definitive proof of psychoactive cannabis use in the Iron Age. It connects archaeological findings with historical accounts of Scythian purification rituals and offers a rare window into ancient cannabis genetics.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to a single tomb in Siberia; the specific ritual purpose of the human sacrifice remains speculative. Future research on DNA and more hair samples is needed to fully understand the context and meaning of the cannabis use.

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