Oldest Direct Evidence of Psychoactive Cannabis Use Found in 2,800-Year-Old Siberian Tomb

Discovery in Siberian Tomb

Archaeologists have uncovered the oldest direct evidence of psychoactive cannabis use within a 2,800-year-old tomb in Siberia. The tomb, which also contained evidence of human and horse sacrifices, was the subject of a study published in Science.

Evidence Found

During excavations, a team located more than 1,400 cannabis seeds scattered near Iron Age human remains. Further analysis identified cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in a preserved human hair sample from the site.

Significance of the Finding

While cannabis cultivation for oil and fiber dates back millennia, this discovery represents the earliest clear-cut proof of the plant being consumed for its psychoactive effects. Previous evidence of psychoactive use was largely speculative or indirect, making the presence of THC in human soft tissue particularly significant for confirming ancient practices.

Historical Context

Cannabis held importance for the Scythian culture, a horse-riding people who emerged in the Eurasian steppes around the 9th century BCE. Historical accounts, such as those by Herodotus, describe Scythian rituals involving the ceremonial burning of cannabis, and residues have been found at their archaeological sites. The current discovery at the Tunnug 1 tomb in Siberia's Uyuk River Valley provides direct confirmation of these historical descriptions.