By — Jamey Keaten, Associated Press Jamey Keaten, Associated Press By — Philipp Jenne, Associated Press Philipp Jenne, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/seeds-and-preserved-hair-in-tomb-point-to-oldest-signs-of-cannabis-high-2800-years-ago-study-suggests Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Seeds and preserved hair in tomb point to oldest signs of cannabis high 2,800 years ago, study suggests Science Nov 6, 2026 5:19 PM EST GENEVA (AP) — People may have been getting high off cannabis earlier than previously thought — at least 2,800 years ago, a new study suggests. Archaeologists who led a dig at a monumental tomb in Siberia said they turned up evidence of the earliest known use of cannabis for psychoactive purposes. The findings point to cannabis consumption at least 300 years earlier than previously known use in neighboring China. Grow your mind Subscribe to our Science Newsletter to explore the wide worlds of science, health and technology. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Ancient drug use has long intrigued scholars. The Greek historian Herodotus…
Seeds and preserved hair in tomb point to oldest signs of cannabis high 2,800 years ago, study suggests
In short
International researchers working at the monumental Tunnug 1 burial mound unearthed preserved human hair and over 1,000 cannabis seeds alongside weapons and horse gear. Although finding ancient soft tissue together with plant material is exceptionally rare, researchers cannot yet determine whether the plant was inhaled or ingested. Meanwhile, independent experts argue the findings are scientifically weak because the hair might have passively absorbed compounds from adjacent botanical matter.
Key points
- The discovery suggests psychoactive cannabis use occurred 300 years earlier than previous…: The discovery suggests psychoactive cannabis use occurred 300 years earlier than previously documented evidence in China.
- Researchers remain uncertain whether ancient Scythians consumed the psychoactive cannabis…: Researchers remain uncertain whether ancient Scythians consumed the psychoactive cannabis through inhalation or ingestion.
- Forensic toxicologists question the findings, arguing the hair may have absorbed cannabis…: Forensic toxicologists question the findings, arguing the hair may have absorbed cannabis compounds directly from the surrounding burial environment.