Disir
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- Sep 30, 2011
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Call it “CSI: Ancient World.” Using crime-scene forensics techniques, a multi-discipline team of scientists and archaeologists has identified the earliest evidence of opium use in the ancient world. Through residue analysis of 14th century BCE vessels excavated in a burial pit at central Israel’s Tel Yehud, the team uncovered what is likely the first physical evidence of the use of a psychoactive drug in the world.
“This is the first empirical physical evidence of the use of opium in the Levant in the Late Bronze Age,” lead researcher Dr. Vanessa Linares told The Times of Israel Tuesday. “This is the first identifiable without-a-shadow-of-a-doubt opium use in the Levant — and I would say even in the Old World.”
Over the past decade of research surrounding the chronology of the dispersion of opium, archaeobotanical studies have identified poppy — the plant from which opium is harvested — at archaeological sites dating to the Neolithic period. Additionally, there are ancient texts talking about opium use as well as ample religious iconography. But until now archaeologists hadn’t found the physical evidence to back it up.
www.timesofisrael.com
This is just one more attempt at history of drug trafficking in a nutshell.
“This is the first empirical physical evidence of the use of opium in the Levant in the Late Bronze Age,” lead researcher Dr. Vanessa Linares told The Times of Israel Tuesday. “This is the first identifiable without-a-shadow-of-a-doubt opium use in the Levant — and I would say even in the Old World.”
Over the past decade of research surrounding the chronology of the dispersion of opium, archaeobotanical studies have identified poppy — the plant from which opium is harvested — at archaeological sites dating to the Neolithic period. Additionally, there are ancient texts talking about opium use as well as ample religious iconography. But until now archaeologists hadn’t found the physical evidence to back it up.
Israeli archaeologists uncover earliest known use of opium in the ancient world
Traces of psychoactive drug found in pottery from Tel Yehud; with new forensic scientific protocols at sites in Israel, discovery may herald many exciting new 'firsts'
www.timesofisrael.com
This is just one more attempt at history of drug trafficking in a nutshell.
