Archaeologists in China’s Gobi Desert have discovered the 2,700-year-old remains of a nomad and his special stash: 789 grams of well-preserved Cannabis sativa (aka marijuana)…

According the Journal of Experimental Botany*, “these investigations provide the oldest documentation of cannabis as a pharmacologically active agent.” The remains were those of a Caucasian, approximately 45 years old at the time of his death, and most likely a wandering holy man of high status, as indicated by his possessions: bridles, archery equipment, a harp, and a well-preserved bowl of weed. It’s not clear how he consumed the marijuana, since no relevant implements were found, but scientists used “botanical, phytochemical, and genetic investigations to demonstrate that this cannabis was psychoactive and probably cultivated for medicinal or divinatory purposes.”

Not much more is known about this ancestor from the Stoned Age, but apparently, ancient man was not averse to having a gay old time.

*No relation to “High Times” magazine

photo by warrantedarrest, courtesy of Creative Commons

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