Humans have been using cannabis for its intoxicating effects for at least 2,800 years, according to a new study published in the journal Science. Scientists from the University of Bern discovered cannabis seeds and traces of the drug in human hair within a tomb in Siberia, belonging to high-ranking members of the Scythian society, a nomadic horse-riding culture of the Eurasian steppe.

Radiocarbon dating of the seeds placed their origin in the early eighth century BC. The presence of cannabis traces in hair collected from the tomb suggests that one of its residents either inhaled or ingested the drug. "The molecular traces in the hair and the cannabis seeds come from the same grave and suggest that cannabis was used for its intoxicating properties," said Dr. Gino Caspari, the study's lead author.

While cannabis cultivation in East Asia dates back at least 6,000 years, likely for its seeds, direct evidence of its use for intoxication has been scarce due to the perishable nature of plant parts like flowers and leaves. This discovery in Siberia provides significant archaeological evidence of early cannabis consumption.

The team explored a tomb in the South Siberian Republic of Tyva, where they found approximately 1,400 cannabis seeds. Six of these seeds were well-preserved enough for dating, confirming their age around 2,800 years. "The seeds show that cannabis played an important role in the rituals surrounding the burial," Dr. Caspari noted.

Further analysis of the human hair revealed "clear signals" consistent with cannabinol (CBN), a compound produced by the oxidation of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary intoxicating component of cannabis. Weak signals consistent with THC were also detected. Although this indicates cannabis use, the exact method and quantity consumed remain unclear.

The researchers plan to further analyze the plant samples, including sequencing DNA, to understand if the cannabis was specifically selected or cultivated for higher concentrations of active compounds. This genetic analysis could provide more insights into the domestication and spread of cannabis.

In their new study, the team explored a tomb in the South Siberian Republic of Tyva. There, they found about 1,400 cannabis seeds – six of which were in good enough condition to date back around 2,800 years

In addition, the scientists found traces of cannabis in human hair collected inside the tomb. This suggests that the drug had either been inhaled or ingested by one of the tomb's residents

The seeds (pictured) alone do no prove that cannabis was consumed by the tomb's residents. Thankfully, the researchers also found human hair in the tomb, which contained 'clear signals' consistent with cannabinol (CBN)