Discovery and Analysis
Researchers led by Davide Tanasi uncovered hallucinogens in a 2,000-year-old Egyptian Bes mug, suggesting its use in ancient rituals. The study, published in , marks the first identification of all ingredients in the mug's last contents.
Advanced chemical and DNA analyses revealed the mug contained a mix of psychedelic drugs, alcohol, and bodily fluids, alongside traditional ingredients like honey and sesame seeds, indicating its use in magic rituals.
Cultural Context and Significance
Bes mugs, decorated with the god Bes, were used from the 16th century BCE to the fifth century CE, believed to be involved in rituals for fertility, protection, and medical healing. Their exact purpose has been a topic of speculation among Egyptologists.
The findings provide physical evidence supporting ancient Egyptian myths and written records of using psychedelics in rituals, potentially for fertility-related ceremonies in the Bes Chambers at , near the .