Mandrake, henbane, thorn apple. The name alone conjures up images of witch brews and secret rituals. In fact, new evidence points to the fact that plants like these were likely used to induce hallucinogenic states during rituals on the Spanish island of Menorca about 3,000 years ago. The research team reached this conclusion by analyzing hair samples contained in a ritual box found in a sealed chamber within the burial cave.
According to researchers, a cave called Es Càrritx in Menorca was used about 3,600 years ago and served as a ceremonial and funerary site for about 800 years. Inside the cave was a burial chamber in which 210 people were buried. Often, after the burial ceremony, a cut of the deceased’s hair is placed in a wooden or angular container and placed next to the body.
At Es Carritx Cave, researchers discovered a cache of hair-filled containers hidden deep in another room within the cave. rice field. The cache also contained other items such as blades, hairpins, combs, wooden bowls and spatulas.
ASOME – Autonomous University of Barcelona
“By about 800 BC, the population of the Balearic Islands underwent a change in social structure,” the researchers wrote. “Archaeological evidence indicates population growth, abandonment of burial grounds, and a slight decline in contact with the outside world. people hid their collections of ritual objects to certain members of their communities, perhaps shamans, in the hope that the former social order would be re-established in the future. It turns out that the best place to do so is deep within the burial grounds of our ancestors.”
ASOME – Autonomous University of Barcelona
Researchers from universities in Spain and Chile used two well-known techniques for revealing the chemical structure of materials, high-resolution mass spectrometry and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, to extract a portion of a hair sample. was analyzed. They found that hair contains chemical signatures of atropine, scopolamine, and ephedrine.
The first two of these are found in plants of the Solanaceae family, such as mandrake and henbane, and belong to a family of drugs known as delirium. They can dramatically alter perception, causing hallucinations, confusion, and, not surprisingly, delirium.
ASOME – Autonomous University of Barcelona
Although other Bronze Age sites have found traces of drugs on artifacts and tools, the researchers say this is the first time direct evidence of drugs has been found in the bodies of these ancient peoples. Says. They say that because no political or economic benefits were afforded among members of the Bronze Age community, hair clippings were only taken from certain individuals and dyed, hence the idea of honoring shamans. believe.
They also say that the concentric circles on the container may have been an eye-catching attempt to show the inner vision that can accompany the use of certain drugs.
ASOME – Autonomous University of Barcelona
A paper on this research has been published in a journal. scientific report.
Source: Scientific report by EurekAlert
