Earliest drug use traced to 25,000-year-old Indonesians via betel nuts
TL;DR Summary
Griffith University researchers analyzing two ancient Sulawesi foragers (dated 25,000–16,000 and 7,600–6,300 years ago) found deep, rounded dental grooves caused by sucking whole betel nuts. Published in Science Advances, the study argues this may be the earliest evidence of drug use, suggesting psychoactive behavior predates farming-era alcohol and highlighting forager traditions as roots of some modern drug-taking practices.
- Drug use may have begun 25,000 years ago, new research finds BBC
- Scientists Discover the Earliest Evidence of Drug Use in Really Old Teeth The New York Times
- Indonesian foragers may have sucked on mind-altering nuts 25,000 years ago, research finds The Guardian
- Earliest evidence of habitual drug use found in teeth in Indonesia New Scientist
- Ice Age origins of one of humanity's oldest drug habits discovered Phys.org
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