Stoned ages

[entheofarm]

Prehistoric human 'took hallucinogenic drugs'

13:00 AEST Mon Oct 20 2008

 

By ninemsn staff

 

Humans were indulging in mind-expanding drugs in prehistoric times, new archaeological evidence suggests.

 

Scientists have unearthed ceramic bowls and inhaling tubes used by ancient South American tribes to prepare and consume hallucinogenic drugs.

 

The findings, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, confirm long-held suspicions that our ancestors used drugs.

 

But much of that evidence has been indirect, ranging from images found in prehistoric cave art to the discovery of hemp seeds in excavations.

 

Archaeologists Quetta Kaye, of University College London, and Scott Fitzpatrick, of North Carolina State University, made the breakthrough on the Caribbean island of Carriacou.

 

They have dated the bowls to between 100BC and 400BC and say the tools originated in South American before being carried 650km to the islands.

 

The scientists believe the tribes were inhaling a powder or fume known as cohoba, a hallucinogen made from the beans of a mimosa shrub.

 

Cannabis was not found in the Caribbean in that period.

 

Archaeologists have suggested that humans in Mexico and Texas were extracting hallucinogenic drugs from mescal beans and peyote cacti up to 5000 years ago.

 

These drugs were used to induce trance-like states by those with religious beliefs, some argue.

 

 

What's to argue? it's true!

 

Pretty sure Terrence McKenna proved all this back in 1992 when I was old enough to know better and too young to care.

[Major Overgrow]

Drugs way well have helped to expand our consciousness & brain functions. Edited October 21, 2008 by Major Overgrow