New research suggests that ancient foragers in Indonesia may have consumed psychoactive substances as early as 25,000 years ago, based on the discovery of unusual tooth wear and chemical traces in two well-preserved skeletons. The findings indicate these individuals likely chewed betel nuts, which contain mind-altering compounds, leaving distinct marks on their teeth. If confirmed, this could represent the oldest known evidence of humans deliberately seeking altered states through natural substances. The study highlights how early societies may have experimented with plant-based psychoactive agents long before recorded history.
Analysis of two skeletons reveals tooth wear and traces of psychoactive substance in what may be earliest known evidence for human drug takingWhat may be the earliest known evidence for human drug taking has been traced to ancient Indonesian foragers who sucked on mind-altering nuts as long as 25,000 years ago.Analysis of two exceptionally rare skeletons from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi revealed dramatic tooth wear and traces of a psychoactive substance in the individuals’ remaining teeth, suggesting they routinely sucked on hard, abrasive betel nuts. Continue reading...
