The World’s Oldest Joint: Discover the 2,500-Year-Old Cannabis Stash.

The World’s Oldest Joint? Uncovering a 2,500-Year-Old Cannabis Discovery

The history of cannabis is full of fascinating stories, but perhaps one of the most intriguing is the discovery of what might be the world’s oldest known stash of weed. Archaeologists in western China unearthed a 2,500-year-old tomb containing remnants of cannabis, revealing new insights into the ancient use of this plant.

The Discovery in the Pamir Mountains

In 2019, an international team of archaeologists discovered wooden braziers containing cannabis residue in the Pamir Mountains of western China. This area, historically connected to the ancient Silk Road, has long been a cultural crossroads. The discovery is significant because the cannabis found showed high levels of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. This suggests that the cannabis was intentionally used for its mind-altering effects, likely as part of religious or funerary rituals ​(New Atlas,Home).

Using advanced techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the researchers identified the chemical compounds in the ancient residue. The results revealed not just the presence of cannabis, but a variety that had been selectively cultivated or sourced for its potent psychoactive properties. This challenges earlier assumptions that ancient cannabis was primarily low in THC and used mainly for its fibers or seeds​ (New Atlas).

The Significance of High-THC Cannabis in Ancient Rituals

This discovery is groundbreaking because it provides concrete evidence that ancient cultures were not just familiar with cannabis but were also actively seeking out or cultivating potent strains for specific uses. The cannabis found in the Pamir tombs was likely burned in the braziers during funerary ceremonies, possibly to induce altered states of consciousness among participants​ (New Atlas). 

This aligns with historical texts, such as those by the Greek historian Herodotus, who described similar practices among the Scythians, a nomadic group from Central Asia. According to Herodotus, the Scythians would throw hemp seeds onto hot stones and inhale the vapors, which produced intoxicating effects​ (Home).

Another Ancient Find: The 2,700-Year-Old Cannabis Stash

In a related discovery, archaeologists found what is believed to be the world’s oldest physical stash of marijuana in the Yanghai Tombs in China’s Gobi Desert. This 2,700-year-old find included nearly two pounds of dried cannabis stored in a wooden bowl. Chemical analysis revealed that this cannabis, too, was high in THC, indicating its use for medicinal or recreational purposes. Interestingly, the cannabis was placed near the head of a shaman, suggesting its importance in spiritual or ritualistic contexts ​(Discover Magazine). 

Implications for the History of Cannabis Use

These discoveries push back the timeline for the use of psychoactive cannabis by several centuries and suggest that ancient cultures were more sophisticated in their understanding and use of the plant than previously thought. The findings also highlight the role of cannabis in the cultural and spiritual practices of ancient peoples, particularly in Central Asia, where the plant likely played a key role in religious ceremonies and social rituals ​(Home, Discover Magazine).

Sources

1. New Atlas - "Ancient Marijuana Use Uncovered in 2,500-Year-Old Tomb"
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2. Max Planck Institute - "The Origins of Cannabis Smoking: Marijuana Use in the First Millennium BC"
   Read more here.

3. Discover Magazine - "The World’s Oldest Stash: Scientists Find 2,700-Year-Old Pot"
   Read more here.