Alexander Nazaryan, Psychedelic Traces Found on Mug From Ancient Egypt, NYTimes, Nov. 28,2024.
Archaeologists and chemists analyzed the mug and found a big surprise: It contained traces of hallucinogenic plants. As they and Dr. van Oppen wrote this month in Scientific Reports, the mug offered the first chemical evidence that ancient Egyptians ingested hallucinogenic substances, possibly as part of a fertility rite.
The findings add to a growing body of evidence that civilizations in and around the Mediterranean region were just as aware of hallucinogens’ unique properties as their Mesoamerican counterparts. Recent studies have found that the Greeks and Romans may have also ingested plants with psychedelic properties, either to reach elevated spiritual states or as part of medical treatment.
Aware, my ass!
“There’s been a great deal of speculation about the Bes vases and what they were used for,” said Dr. Bob Bianchi, who is chief curator of the Ancient Egyptian Museum in Tokyo and was not involved in the research. He said it was “plausible” that the Egyptians used the mugs for psychedelic rituals.
Egyptians were fond of beer, and written evidence suggests they were aware that some plants had hallucinogenic properties. “They knew what their environment contained,” Dr. Bianchi said. But never before has there been evidence that Egyptians ingested those plants.
There's more at the link.
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The article references the following research paper:
Tanasi, D., van Oppen de Ruiter, B.F., Florian, F. et al. Multianalytical investigation reveals psychotropic substances in a ptolemaic Egyptian vase. Sci Rep 14, 27891 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78721-8
Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive multimodal analytical study of an Egyptian ritual Bes-vase, of the 2nd century BCE employing cutting-edge proteomics, metabolomics, genetics techniques, and synchrotron radiation-based Fourier Transformed Infrared microSpectroscopy (SR μ-FTIR) to characterize organic residues of its content. We successfully identified the presence of various functional, bioactive, psychotropic, and medicinal substances, shedding light on the diverse components of a liquid concoction used for ritual practices in Ptolemaic Egypt. Using LC-MS/MS with a new methodological approach, we identified key proteins and metabolites, enabling the identification of botanical sources, confirmed by genetic sequences. Our analyses revealed traces of Peganum harmala, Nimphaea nouchali var. caerulea, and a plant of the Cleome genus, all of which are traditionally proven to have psychotropic and medicinal properties. Additionally, the identification of human fluids suggests their direct involvement in these rituals. Furthermore, metabolomics and SR μ-FTIR analyses also revealed the presence of fermented fruit-based liquid and other ingredients such as honey or royal jelly. The identification of specific chemical compounds, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, provides insight into the psychoactive and therapeutic uses of these in ancient ritual practices. This multidisciplinary study highlights the complexity of ancient cultures and their interactions with psychoactive, medicinal, and bioactive substances. These findings contribute to our understanding of ancient belief systems, cultural practices, and the utilization of natural resources, ultimately enhancing our knowledge of past societies and their connection to the natural world.
