An Ancient Opium Vessel Discovered in Israel—A Remarkable Archaeological Find.mp4

It could be the earliest sign of the drug’s use.

Transcript

00:00This is an ancient artifact unearthed in central Israel.

00:07Experts say it was made by the Canaanites, and they recently found traces of opium within it.

00:12The vessel was first discovered way back in 2012 near gravesites,

00:15but a recent analysis of its former contents has revealed traces of the drug.

00:20The archaeologists say they believe the vessel likely held distilled opium,

00:23meant to be poured and mixed with other liquids.

00:25Historians believe it may have been used by priests presiding over burial rituals,

00:29where they would drink the opium and enter what they call an ecstatic state.

00:33This would explain why the vessels were found near graves.

00:36With Israel Antiquities Authority Ron Beery saying about the find,

00:39The significance is that if these vessels really contained opium,

00:42it indicates how popular this product was and how much it was consumed during this period.

00:46The artifacts are from the 14th century BC,

00:49meaning this is likely the first known evidence of opium's use as a drug ever discovered.

00:53Traces of other historical drugs have been found in Israel previously.

00:57After an 8th century BC shrine was discovered in 2020,

01:00with trace amounts of cannabis present on it.