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Romans may have used a poisonous plant as a hallucinogenic drug 2,000 years ago, study finds

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  • 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

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

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

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.’

How England spent almost half a millennium under Roman rule

55BC – Julius Caesar crossed the channel with around 10,000 soldiers. They landed at a Pegwell Bay on the Isle of Thanet and were met by a force of Britons. Caesar was forced to withdraw.

54BC – Caesar crossed the channel again in his second attempt to conquer Britain. He came with with 27,000 infantry and cavalry and landed at Deal but were unopposed. They marched inland and after hard battles they defeated the Britons and key tribal leaders surrendered.

However, later that year, Caesar was forced to return to Gaul to deal with problems there and the Romans left.

54BC – 43BC – Although there were no Romans present in Britain during these years, their influence increased due to trade links.

43AD – A Roman force of 40,000 led by Aulus Plautius landed in Kent and took the south east. The emperor Claudius appointed Plautius as Governor of Britain and returned to Rome.

47AD – Londinium (London) was founded and Britain was declared part of the Roman empire. Networks of roads were built across the country.

50AD – Romans arrived in the southwest and made their mark in the form of a wooden fort on a hill near the river Exe.  A town was created at the site of the fort decades later and names Isca. 

When Romans let and Saxons ruled, all ex-Roman towns were called a ‘ceaster’. this was called ‘Exe ceaster’ and a merger of this eventually gave rise to Exeter.   

75 – 77AD – Romans defeated the last resistant tribes, making all Britain Roman. Many Britons started adopting Roman customs and law.

122AD – Emperor Hadrian ordered that a wall be built between England and Scotland to keep Scottish tribes out.

312AD – Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal throughout the Roman empire.

228AD – The Romans were being attacked by barbarian tribes and soldiers stationed in the country started to be recalled to Rome.

410AD – All Romans were recalled to Rome and Emperor Honorious told Britons they no longer had a connection to Rome.

Source: History on the net

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