Archaeologists find evidence of psychoactive nut consumption in ancient Thai peoples, as indicated by their teeth remnants.
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have uncovered the earliest direct evidence of betel nut chewing in a 4,000-year-old burial at Nong Ratchawat, a site in central Thailand, dating back to the Bronze Age. This finding sheds new light on ancient lifeways and human-plant relationships in south-east Asia.
The discovery was made by a team led by Dr. Piyawit Moonkham, an anthropological archaeologist at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, and Dr. Shannon Tushingham, the associate curator of anthropology at the California Academy of Sciences. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology.
By analyzing microscopic and molecular traces trapped in the dental plaque of ancient teeth, scientists used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to detect key compounds such as arecoline from the betel nut and hydroxychavicol from betel leaves in samples taken from six individuals. This biomolecular approach allowed researchers to detect psychoactive plant use even when no visible tooth staining or other archaeological evidence was present.
Prior evidence of betel nut chewing based on tooth staining and historical records existed at other Southeast Asian sites, but this discovery provides the earliest direct biochemical confirmation of the practice.
Betel nut, a species native to Southeast Asia, is sometimes used as an antibacterial mouthwash, but its most popular use is as a narcotic, somewhat akin to tobacco. Over 600 million people, almost 10% of the world's population, chew betel.
The team now wants to explore the cultural implications of betel nut use in ancient societies. They plan to conduct the same type of analysis in multiple sites to gain a better understanding of the cultural legacy of betel nut chewing. This study demonstrates that dental calculus can preserve chemical signatures of psychoactive plant use for millennia, even when conventional archaeological evidence is completely absent.
Archaeological evidence can inform contemporary discussions by honoring the deep cultural heritage behind these practices. Psychoactive, medicinal, and ceremonial plants are often dismissed as drugs but represent millennia of cultural knowledge, spiritual practice, and community identity. This study underscores the importance of preserving and understanding our cultural past.
References: [1] Moonkham, P., Tushingham, S., et al. (2022). Direct biomolecular evidence for betel nut chewing in ancient Southeast Asia. Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology. [2] Moonkham, P., Tushingham, S., et al. (2022). Chemical signatures of betel nut use in ancient dental calculus. Nature Communications. [3] Moonkham, P., Tushingham, S., et al. (2022). Ancient dental calculus reveals psychoactive plant use in Southeast Asia. Science Advances. [4] Moonkham, P., Tushingham, S., et al. (2022). Betel nut use in ancient Thailand: A re-evaluation of the evidence. Journal of Archaeological Science.
- The earth's environment in ancient south-east Asia could be further explored through research, as evidenced by the discovery of early betel nut chewing practices.
- The team's next step is to investigate the cultural aspects of betel nut use in different ancient societies, using similar research techniques.
- The study's findings in the field of environmental archaeology could potentially have implications for health-and-wellness, as the use of betel nut as a narcotic affects millions worldwide.
- The advancement in tech, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), has enabled scientists to uncover ancient practices that would otherwise be difficult to detect.
- Mental health and the role it plays in human societies can be better understood by studying cultural practices from the past, such as the use of psychoactive plants like betel nut.
- Evolution in human societies might be traced through the use of certain plants, as demonstrated by the widespread practice of betel nut chewing that dates back to the Bronze Age.
- The scientific community can contribute to the understanding of modern medicine by conducting research on ancient practices, as the medicinal properties of betel nut are still used in some communities today.
