Archaeological Discovery: Ancient Israelites Used Cannabis in 2,800-Year-Old Religious Rituals
Israeli archaeologists have discovered evidence that cannabis was used in religious ceremonies at an ancient Israelite shrine, suggesting that psychoactive substances played a role in early Jewish worship practices.
Groundbreaking Discovery
Chemical analysis of residue found on an altar at the Tel Arad shrine, dating back to the 8th century BCE, revealed the presence of cannabis compounds and animal dung. Researchers believe the cannabis was burned deliberately to induce a state of religious ecstasy during ritual ceremonies.
“This is the first evidence of psychoactive substance use in the Kingdom of Judah,” said lead researcher Eran Arie from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The discovery provides rare physical evidence of drug use in ancient religious practices in this region.
The Ancient Shrine
The Tel Arad shrine, discovered in the 1960s in Israel’s Negev desert, was part of a fortress on the southern frontier of the Kingdom of Judah. The site contained two limestone altars that were removed and preserved, allowing researchers to conduct modern chemical analysis on residue that had been sealed for nearly 2,800 years.
The smaller altar contained traces of cannabinoids THC, CBD, and CBN, along with animal dung that likely served as a heating material. The larger altar showed evidence of frankincense, a valuable aromatic resin often mentioned in biblical texts.
Implications for Understanding Ancient Worship
This finding challenges previous understandings of ancient Israelite worship practices and suggests that altered states of consciousness may have played a role in some religious ceremonies.
“The use of hallucinogenic substances for achieving ecstasy in religious ceremonies was common in various cultures throughout history,” noted researcher Dvory Namdar of the Volcani Institute. “Now we have evidence it was practiced in Judah as well.”
Cannabis Source Remains Unknown
Researchers are still unclear about where the ancient Israelites obtained cannabis, as it was not native to the region. Trade routes may have brought the substance from distant lands, highlighting the extensive trade networks that existed in the ancient Near East.
The study, published in the journal Tel Aviv, represents a significant advancement in the archaeological understanding of ancient religious practices in the region.
“This discovery sheds new light on the role of altered consciousness in ancient Israelite worship,” said Arie. “It opens up an entirely new field of research in understanding the religious practices of the Kingdom of Judah.”
