Researchers from the University of Bern have identified evidence of cannabis use in an ancient Scythian tomb loocated in Tyva, Siberia. The discovery, involving both seeds and biological traces in human hair,suggests that humans were using the plant for intoxication nearly 2,800 years ago.
The 1,400 seeds found in the Tyva tomb
A team of scientists led by Dr. Gino Caspari from the University of Bern has uncovered significant archaeological evidence within a Scythian tomb in the South Siberian Republic of Tyva. According to the research team,the site contained approximately 1,400 cannabis seeds, six of which were in such excellent condition that they could be precisely dated to the early eighth century BC.
The Scythian people were a prominent horse-riding culture that inhabited the Eurasian steppe, leaving behind complex burial rituals. As reported in the journal Science,Dr.. Caspari noted that the presence of these seeds suggests cannabis played a central role in the rituals surrounding the burial of high-ranking members of this society.
CBN traces in human hair confirm ancient intoxication
The presence of cannabinol (CBN) in human hair samples provides the biological evidence needed to move beyond mere agricultural speculation. While seeds can prove a plant was present, they do not inherently prove it was consumed for its psychoactive effects. However, the researchers found clear signals of CBN—a compound produced by the oxidation of THC—within the hair of the individuals interrred in the tomb.
The team also detected weak signals of THC in the same samples. Because these molecular traces and the cannabis seeds originated from the same grave, the University of Bern scientists conclude that the Scythians were likely using the plant for its intoxicating properties rather than just for its seeds or oil.
Bridging the gap from 6,000-year-old cultivation
This discovery shifts the historical timeline of how humans interacted with the plant. While previous archaeological studies have shown that cannabis was being cultivated in East Asia at least 6,000 years ago, that earlier use was likely focused on the plant's oil-rich seeds for nutritional or industrial purposes.
By finding direct evidence of intoxication in an 8th-century BC context, this study bridges the gap between the earliest instances of plant domestication and the later, more widespread use of cannabis as a psychoactive substance. It suggests that the spiritual or recreational use of the drug is much older than previously assumed by the scientific community.
Uncertainty over Scythian consumption methods and dosage
Despite the breakthrough, several specific details regarding Scythian drug use remain unverified. Researchers currently do not know the exact method by which the tomb residents consumed the cannabis, nor do they have a clear understanding of the dosage involved in their rituals.
Dr. Caspari and his team are now moving into the next phase of research, which involves sequencing the DNA of the plant samples. this work aims to determine if the Scythians were specifically selecting or cultivating certain varieties of cannabis to achieve higher levels of active compounds, which would indicate a sophisticated level of botanical knowledge.
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