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    • Scientists discover hallucinogen in 2,200-year-old Egyptian Bes cup
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    Scientists discover hallucinogen in 2,200-year-old Egyptian Bes cup

    Harry Posted on

    A study recently published in the journal Scientific Reports offers analysis of a 2,000-year-old Egyptian vase decorated with the head of Bes, an ancient Egyptian god associated with protection and fertility. The vase, held at the Tampa Museum of Art, was analyzed by an international group of archaeologists from the United States and Italy, including researchers from the University of South Florida, the University of Trieste and the University of Milan.

    Nature, Newsweek, Science Daily and other websites reported the finding.

    Using advanced chemical techniques such as ancient DNA extraction and infrared spectroscopy, the team performed chemical and DNA analyzes on samples scraped from the inner wall of the cup. These analyzes revealed a complex mixture of substances, including psychotropic and medicinal plants, fermented alcoholic liquids from fruits, and human body fluids.

    Among the organic remains detected were traces of the Peganum harmala plant, known as harmel or Syrian rue, known for its psychoactive properties. Peganum seeds produce high amounts of harmine and harmaline alkaloids, which can cause dream-like images. The analysis also detected traces of blue water lily (Nymphaea caerulea), another psychoactive plant that contains aporphine, an alkaloid associated with mild sedative and euphoric effects. Researchers concluded that both Peganum harmala and Nymphaea caerulea were deliberately used as sources of psychoactive substances for ritual purposes.

    Researchers have found evidence of other compounds in addition to these psychoactive plants. Wild rue, Egyptian lotus and Cleome plant, as well as sesame seeds, pine nuts, licorice, grapes, honey and fermented fruit liquids were detected in the vase. These ingredients may have been used to flavor the liquid mixture, making the liquid in the cup appear like blood.

    Human body fluids, including saliva, blood, breast milk, and mucosal fluids (oral or vaginal), were detected in the veins and it appeared that these fluids were deliberately added to the mixture. The inclusion of human biological materials points to practices deeply rooted in symbolism and spirituality, possibly linked to fertility rituals.

    “There is no research that has found what we found in this study,” said Davide Tanasi, a professor in the Department of History and the study’s first author at the University of South Florida. “For the first time, we were able to detect all the chemical signatures of the components of the liquid mixture found in the Tampa Museum of Art’s Bes cup, including herbs used by the Egyptians, all of which have psychotropic and medicinal properties,” Davide said. in question.

    “This is the first scientific evidence that directly confirms the use of psychedelics in ancient Egyptian rituals,” said the study’s lead author, Enrico Greco, from the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Trieste, Italy. “While there have been previous hypotheses based on iconography or texts, this study provides physical evidence for the intentional use of psychotropic substances in ceremonial practices.”

    Researchers suggest the mixture may have been used in magical rituals that revived ancient Egyptian myths and were potentially linked to fertility. According to the authors of the study, all of the components obtained from the plants had psychotropic and medicinal properties. The mixture of psychedelic herbs, alcohol, and human-derived ingredients may have been used in a magical ritual to induce dream vision in the context of childbirth.

    “With this study, we have found scientific evidence that Egyptian myths have some form of truth, and this helps us shed light on possibly poorly understood rituals performed in the Bes Chambers at Saqqara, near the Great Pyramids at Giza,” Tanasi noted.

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    The Bes cup is decorated with the head of Bes, a popular ancient Egyptian patron god associated with joy, fertility, and household prosperity. According to Enrico Greco, during the Ptolemaic period (c. 330–30 BC) the Bes’ role expanded to include “oracular and mystical” functions. The cult of Bes involved the Chambers of Bes at Saqqara, where individuals sought confirmation of successful pregnancies due to dream-induced prophecies and associated dangers.

    The inclusion of human body fluids aligns with Bes’ association with pregnancy, fertility, and the household. “The combination of these components may have been used in a magical ritual that encouraged dream vision in the context of this dangerous period of birth,” said study author Branko van Oppen, curator of Greek and Roman art at the Tampa Museum of Art.

    The research highlights the complexity of ancient Egyptian ritual practices, their advanced understanding of natural resources, and their impact on the human mind.

    The vase was acquired by the Tampa Museum of Art in 1984 after being held in a private collection. The researchers conducted the study as part of the Archeology of the Mediterranean Diet project, supported by the USF Institute for Advanced Study in Culture and Environment. The collaboration involved several USF researchers and partners in Italy who performed chemical and DNA analyzes using advanced scientific techniques. These methods allowed them to identify proteins, genetic material and chemical compounds to reveal the contents and purpose of the urn.

    This article was written in collaboration with prolific artificial intelligence company Alchemiq.



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