Egyptian mummies found with cocaine

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the biochemical findings of drugs, including cocaine, in Egyptian mummies, raising questions about historical trade and contact between ancient civilizations. Participants explore the implications of these findings on theories of cultural exchange and the origins of certain plants used for their psychoactive properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express surprise at the presence of cocaine in Egyptian mummies, questioning how it could have reached Africa given its indigenous status in South America.
  • Others note that tobacco is also native to the Americas and inquire about other plants containing nicotine.
  • A humorous suggestion is made regarding extraterrestrial involvement in ancient drug trade.
  • Some participants speculate on the possibility of ancient Egyptians having the capability to sail to the Americas, referencing the architectural similarities between pyramids in both regions.
  • Concerns are raised about the absence of opiates in the findings, despite historical knowledge of opium use in ancient Egypt.
  • Discussions include the potential for cultural contact between civilizations, with references to Thor Heyerdahl's experimental voyages and the idea that sophisticated civilizations existed prior to European contact.
  • Participants debate the credibility of theories regarding Atlantis and its possible connections to the Americas.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the classification of THC and opiates, with some confusion expressed about the nature of these substances.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express a mix of curiosity and skepticism regarding the implications of the findings, with multiple competing views on the historical context and significance of drug use in ancient civilizations. The discussion remains unresolved with no consensus on the origins of the substances found in the mummies.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference the limitations of current archaeological evidence regarding ancient trade routes and cultural exchanges, highlighting the speculative nature of their claims.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in archaeology, ancient history, cultural exchanges, and the historical use of psychoactive substances may find this discussion relevant.

  • #31
zoobyshoe said:
Hmmmmm. A Native Egyptian species of coco, therefore, was completely killed off in the great coco blight of 112 BC. Or maybe some sort of coco-like plant grows down south in the territory of the high mountain gorillas, undiscovered by modern botanists, whose natural enemy is the high mountain gorilla. Could be Columbian drug cartels have been using mummies as mules: they leave South America for Europe marked as Peruvian specimens, then they get relabeled as Egyptian specimens. Get unpacked in Amsterdam and sent to Germany from there. Who knew they'd be tested for coke? Who the hell gives a mummy a drug test? The Columbian drug lord is angry! Heads will roll. The mummy maneuver has been busted!

I have been up 36 hours. Time to sleep.
:smile:
 
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  • #32
zoobyshoe said:
I think that all coco leaves would have to have been carried by boat back to Egypt in some sort of dried or preserved state. They wouldn't grow in Egypt: wrong climate. No fresh leaves or whole growing plants to figure in art. They would be only for the rich and powerful, and might only be prescribed during serious illness. By this logic we'd see them in every mummy that died from illness, but not in those whose death was sudden.

Is a variety of cocoa found anywhere in central Africa?
 
  • #33
WhoWee said:
Is a variety of cocoa found anywhere in central Africa?

I should have said coca, not coco. Regardless, the coco (cocoa) chocolate plant is not native to Africa though it is widely farmed there now. It also comes from South America.
 
  • #34
what was in the lotus flower
it was known to have a drug effect