Earliest Evidence of Drug Use Found in 25,000-Year-Old Teeth
Scientists have discovered chemical traces of betel nut consumption in ancient Indonesian teeth, marking the earliest known evidence of human drug use.
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Scientists Discover the Earliest Evidence of Drug Use in Really Old Teeth
A hunter-gatherer who lived in Indonesia as early as 25,000 years ago may have regularly sucked on betel nuts to release their psychoactive properties.
By Becky Ferreira
Read full article →Indonesian foragers may have sucked on mind-altering nuts 25,000 years ago, research finds
Analysis of two skeletons reveals tooth wear and traces of psychoactive substance in what may be earliest known evidence for human drug taking What may be the earliest known evidence for human drug taking has been traced to ancient Indonesian foragers who sucked on mind-altering nuts as long as 25,000 years ago. Analysis of two exceptionally rare skeletons from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi revealed dramatic tooth wear and traces of a psychoactive substance in the individuals’ remaining t...
By Ian Sample Science editor
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