Indonesian Foragers 25,000 Years Ago May Have Used Psychoactive Nuts

Scientists have uncovered what may be the earliest known evidence of human drug use, based on the analysis of two exceptionally rare skeletons found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Radiocarbon dating places the remains at roughly 25,000 years ago, placing them firmly in the Upper Paleolithic period. The discovery was announced by a team of archaeologists and forensic anthropologists who examined the skeletal remains for signs of habitual consumption of psychoactive substances.

The researchers noted pronounced tooth wear patterns and identified residues of a psychoactive compound in the enamel of the individuals’ teeth. These findings strongly suggest that the foragers regularly sucked on hard, abrasive betel nuts, a practice that would have delivered psychoactive effects. The combination of extreme dental abrasion and chemical traces provides a compelling case that these early humans engaged in ritualized or recreational drug use, a behavior previously undocumented for this time period.

The study adds a new dimension to our understanding of prehistoric human behavior, indicating that complex social or ceremonial practices involving psychoactive substances may have emerged earlier than previously thought. The Sulawesi skeletons therefore offer a rare glimpse into the cognitive and cultural lives of some of the planet’s earliest modern humans.