Scientists discover hallucinogens in 2,200-year-old Egyptian Bes mug

A study recently published in the journal Scientific Reports presents an analysis of a 2,000-year-old Egyptian vase decorated with the head of Bes, an ancient Egyptian god associated with protection and fertility. The vase, held at the Tampa Museum of Art, was analyzed by an international group of archaeologists from the United States and Italy, including researchers from the University of South Florida, the University of Trieste, and the University of Milan.

Nature, Newsweek, Science Daily, and other websites reported on the finding.

Using advanced chemical techniques such as ancient DNA extraction and infrared spectroscopy, the team conducted chemical and DNA analyses on samples scraped from the inner wall of the mug. These analyses revealed a complex mixture of substances, including psychotropic and medicinal plants, fermented alcoholic liquids derived from fruit, and human bodily fluids.

Among the organic residues detected were traces of the plant Peganum harmala, commonly known as harmel or Syrian rue, which is known for its psychoactive properties. The seeds of Peganum harmala produce high quantities of the alkaloids harmine and harmaline that can induce dream-like visions. The analysis also detected traces of another psychoactive plant, the blue water lily (Nymphaea caerulea), which contains aporphine, an alkaloid associated with mild sedative and euphoric effects. Researchers concluded that both Peganum harmala and Nymphaea caerulea were deliberately used as sources of psychoactive substances for ritual purposes.

In addition to these psychoactive plants, the researchers found evidence of other ingredients. Traces of wild rue, Egyptian lotus, and Cleome plant were detected in the vase, along with sesame seeds, pine nuts, licorice, grapes, honey, and fermented fruit liquids. These ingredients may have been used to flavor the liquid concoction and may have made the liquid in the mug look like blood.

Human bodily fluids, including saliva, blood, breast milk, and mucous fluids (oral or vaginal), were identified in the vessels, appearing to have been deliberately added to the mixture. The inclusion of human biological materials points to practices deeply rooted in symbolism and spirituality, possibly linked to fertility rituals.

"There's no research out there that has ever found what we found in this study," said Davide Tanasi, a professor at the University of South Florida and the study's first author from the Department of History. "For the first time, we were able to identify all the chemical signatures of the components of the liquid concoction contained in the Tampa Museum of Art's Bes mug, including the plants used by Egyptians, all of which have psychotropic and medicinal properties," Davide said.

"This is the first time scientific evidence has directly confirmed the use of psychedelics in ancient Egyptian rituals," said Enrico Greco, the study's lead author from the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Trieste, Italy. "While there have been previous hypotheses based on iconography or texts, this study provides physical evidence of the deliberate use of psychotropic substances in ceremonial practice."

The researchers suggest that the concoction may have been used in magical rituals reenacting ancient Egyptian myths, potentially linked to fertility. According to the study's authors, all of the plant-derived ingredients featured psychotropic and medicinal properties. The mixture of psychedelic plants, alcohol, and human-derived ingredients may have been used in a dream-vision inducing magic ritual within the context of childbirth.

"With this study, we've found scientific proof that the Egyptian myths have some kind of truth and it helps us shed light on the poorly understood rituals that were likely carried out in the Bes Chambers in Saqqara, near the Great Pyramids at Giza," Tanasi stated.

The Bes mug is decorated with the head of Bes, a popular ancient Egyptian protector deity linked to joy, fertility, and household well-being. During the Ptolemaic period (around 330-30 B.C.), Bes's role expanded to include "oracular and mystical" functions, according to Enrico Greco. The cult of Bes included the Bes-Chambers at Saqqara, where individuals sought dream-induced prophecies and confirmation of successful pregnancies due to associated dangers.

The inclusion of human bodily fluids aligns with Bes's association with pregnancy, fertility, and the household. Branko van Oppen, a study author and curator of Greek and Roman art at the Tampa Museum of Art, said, "This combination of ingredients may have been used in a dream-vision inducing magic ritual within the context of this dangerous period of childbirth."

The research highlights the sophistication of ancient Egyptian ritual practices and their advanced understanding of natural resources and their effects on the human mind.

The vase was acquired by the Tampa Museum of Art in 1984 after being held in a private collection. The researchers conducted the study as part of the Mediterranean Diet Archaeology project promoted by the USF Institute for the Advanced Study of Culture and the Environment. The collaboration involved several USF researchers and partners in Italy, who performed chemical and DNA analyses using advanced scientific techniques. These methods allowed them to identify proteins, genetic material, and chemical compounds to uncover the vase's contents and purpose.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq