Earliest evidence of cannabis use found in ancient Siberian tomb

Live updates

1. 53m ago

   Ancient Siberian Tomb Yields Earliest Evidence of Cannabis Use

   Archaeologists investigating an ancient Siberian burial complex have uncovered the earliest direct archaeological evidence of humans consuming cannabis for psychoactive purposes. Excavations at the royal Scythian tomb revealed roughly 1,000 cannabis seeds alongside chemical traces indicating the plant was used as an intoxicant. The site also contained preserved hair and remains from elaborate burial rituals, including horse and human sacrifices. Researchers state the discovery pushes back the timeline for psychoactive drug use in antiquity, shedding new light on ancient cultural and burial practices across the region.

   Why it matters

   The newly examined burial site dates back roughly 2,800 years, offering a rare glimpse into the ritualistic habits of ancient Scythian nomads. Scientists have long debated the exact origins and antiquity of mind-altering plant consumption among early human populations. This excavation provides concrete chemical and organic data linking ancient Eurasian warriors and elites to the use of cannabis during elaborate funerary rites.

   What is confirmed

   • Archaeologists found roughly 1,000 cannabis seeds and chemical evidence of drug use in an ancient Siberian tomb.
   • The discovery dates back approximately 2,800 years and is linked to the ancient Scythians.
   • Horse and human sacrifices were also discovered in the Bronze Age burial complex.
   • The site provides the oldest directly dated archaeological evidence of psychoactive cannabis use.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Some sources cite the age of the tomb as 2,700 years old rather than 2,800 years old.

   What to watch next

   • Further chemical analysis of the preserved hair and seeds recovered from the tomb
   • Additional archaeological excavations in the Uyuk Valley to find corroborating burial sites
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. cashwalklabs.io — GM will switch to Nasdaq from the NYSE on Nov. 17
   2. abc17news.com — Dutch zookeeper dies after being attacked by leopard
   3. CNN — Earliest evidence of cannabis use found in ancient Siberian tomb
   4. The New York Times — Were These Ancient Siberian Nomads the First Stoners?
   5. Yahoo — Is this the oldest trace of a cannabis high? A royal tomb, 1,000 seeds and preserved hair
   6. Phys.org — Cannabis was used as an intoxicant as early as 2,800 years ago
   7. Scientific American — Ancient humans were using cannabis far earlier in history than we thought
   8. AP News — Seeds, preserved hair in tomb point to oldest signs of cannabis high 2,800 years ago, study suggests
   9. Reuters — Siberian burial site reveals ancient use of cannabis as an intoxicant
   10. The Times — Ancient warriors got high on cannabis, burial mound reveals
   11. Popular Science — Oldest evidence of cannabis use discovered in 2,700-year-old royal tomb
   12. STAT — New evidence for ancient cannabis use
   confidence 95%