Romans may have used a poisonous plant as a hallucinogenic drug 2,000 years ago, study finds
- Archaeologists have discovered black henbane seeds in a hollowed human bone
- These seeds have been used as both a medicine and a narcotic
The Romans are known to have been one of the world's most influential civilisations.
But even they may have enjoyed a little escapism – in the form of powerful hallucinogens, a study suggests.
Archaeologists have discovered hundreds of black henbane seeds in a hollowed bone at the rural Roman settlement of Houten-Castellum in the Netherlands.
These seeds originate from a poisonous plant, which is part of the nightshade family, and have been used as both a medicine and a narcotic.
Until now, no conclusive evidence of the use of black henbane has been discovered from Roman times.
![Archaeologists have discovered hundreds of black henbane seeds in a hollowed bone](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/07/15/80969211-0-Archaeologists_have_discovered_hundreds_of_black_henbane_seeds_i-a-85_1707319501425.jpg)
Archaeologists have discovered hundreds of black henbane seeds in a hollowed bone
![The Romans are known to have been one of the world's most influential civilisations. But even they may have enjoyed a little escapism – in the form of powerful hallucinogens, a study suggests](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/07/15/80969243-0-image-m-83_1707319326857.jpg)
The Romans are known to have been one of the world's most influential civilisations. But even they may have enjoyed a little escapism – in the form of powerful hallucinogens, a study suggests
But experts said the placement of seeds inside a hollowed-out sheep or goat bone, sealed with a black birch bark tar plug, indicate the seeds were stored there intentionally around 2,000 years ago.
Historic texts suggest that henbane may have been used as a painkiller and sleep remedy.
But others warn it can also have strong hallucinogenic effects - causing loss of muscle control, dilation of pupils, visions and even induce a sense of flying.
While this is the first example of black henbane being found in a container from the Roman period, it is not clear exactly what its intended use was, the researchers said.
![The remants were discovered by archaeologists at the rural Roman settlement of Houten-Castellum in the Netherlands](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/07/15/80969205-0-The_remants_were_discovered_by_archaeologists_at_the_rural_Roman-a-86_1707319505423.jpg)
The remants were discovered by archaeologists at the rural Roman settlement of Houten-Castellum in the Netherlands
Writing in the journal Antiquity the team, from Freie Universität Berlin, said: 'Black henbane is an extremely poisonous plant species that can also be used as a medicinal or psychoactive drug.
'Instances where the intentional human use of black henbane can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt are rare.
'Only a handful of archaeological examples can be cited: one find in a grave and three finds from hospitals.
'The discovery at Houten-Castellum, in the Roman Netherlands, of a bone cylinder closed at one end with a birch-bark tar plug and filled with black henbane seeds therefore provides an important new case for the deliberate collection and use of seeds from this plant.'