News
Researchers report that human hair and more than 1,400 cannabis seeds from a 2,800-year-old tomb in Tuva, southern Siberia, show chemical traces of THC. The study, published in Science on 6 and 7 November 2026, points to psychoactive use by the Scythians.
Key points
- Hair slices and over 1,400 seeds from a Siberian tomb carry chemical signatures compatible with THC.
- The material dates to the early 8th century BC and comes from a 140-metre burial structure in the Uyuk Valley.
- The exact method of consumption remains unknown; inhalation is considered likely.
The find comes from the Uyuk Valley in the Republic of Tuva, southern Siberia, Russia. According to Discover Magazine, the study appeared in the journal Science. It is among the clearest cases of siberian ancient cannabis linked to a mind-altering use.
What the tomb contained
The material was found in a monumental burial structure about 140 metres across. Seed dating places it in the early 8th century BC. The Objective also reports an age of roughly 2,800 years.
The tomb held high-ranking members of Scythian society. Gold items and objects decorated in the Scythian animal style were found alongside them.
Chemical traces in hair and seeds
Slices of human hair and more than 1,400 cannabis seeds showed chemical signatures compatible with THC, plus traces of cannabinol. Both outlets report this finding.
Partial sequencing of the seeds also revealed very well-preserved DNA. Per Discover Magazine, it is the oldest cannabis genetic material known so far.
Why the evidence is rare
Cannabis was grown for thousands of years for fibre and oil-rich seeds. That makes it hard to tell those uses apart from altering consciousness. Archaeologist Gino Caspari, of the University of Bern and the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, said that the rare mix of plant remains and preserved human tissue is what makes proof so hard to obtain, according to Discover Magazine.
Here, the combination allows the team to confirm use of a psychoactive substance. Researchers add that the link with elaborate burials supports a ritual reading.
Rituals above the burial
Remains at the surface point to ceremonies involving the sacrifice of dozens of horses. Human sacrifice is possible, but the team has only considered it; it is not confirmed.
The Scythians are known for mounted warfare, goldwork and a relatively nomadic life on the Eurasian steppes. The Greek historian Herodotus, writing in the 5th century BC, described steppe peoples.
Earlier clues and open questions
Earlier evidence of cannabis consumption exists in the Middle East and the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia, dated to the first millennium BC. It includes tools used to burn cannabis.
- The exact consumption method could not be determined.
- Inhalation is seen as likely, based on later evidence from the region.
- Human sacrifice remains unconfirmed.
The researchers plan to analyse the seed DNA further in the coming years. This could help reconstruct how the plant was cultivated and selected, and might revise the history of its domestication.
Ce que ça change pour toi
This is a historical study, with no direct effect on what you can buy or use today. It simply shows that the plant’s psychoactive side is far older than modern markets.
If the story makes you curious about today’s legal cannabinoid range, you could browse our CBD flower collection or read our space cake guide. Rules differ from country to country, so check the ones that apply to you.
FAQ
What was found in the Siberian tomb?
Human hair slices and more than 1,400 cannabis seeds were found in a monumental burial structure in the Uyuk Valley. They show chemical signatures compatible with THC and traces of cannabinol.
How old is the material?
About 2,800 years. Seed dating places it in the early 8th century BC, according to Discover Magazine.
Do we know how the Scythians consumed cannabis?
No. The method could not be determined, though researchers consider inhalation likely based on later evidence from the region.
What happens next in the research?
The team plans to study the seed DNA in more depth in the coming years. This could shed light on early cultivation and domestication.
Sources
- Discover Magazine — Ancient Blood Found in a Dinosaur Fossil, the First U.S. Death From Bird Flu, and the Earliest Evidence of a Cannabis High
- The Objective — Una tumba en Siberia revela un consumo ritual de cannabis hace dos milenios
