# Siberian burial site reveals ancient use of cannabis as an intoxicant

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/siberian-burial-site-reveals-ancient-use-of-cannabis-as-an-intoxicant/
- Published: 2026-11-05T19:02:12+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T19:23:50+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/siberian-burial-site-reveals-ancient-use-cannabis-intoxicant-6528796
- Topics: World

## Key points

- A Siberian tomb provides direct evidence of ancient psychoactive cannabis use.
- More than 1,400 seeds were dated to the early eighth century BC.
- Hair samples contained chemical traces consistent with THC.

## Summary

Researchers have found evidence that Scythians in southern Siberia used cannabis for its mind-altering effects about 2,800 years ago. The discovery is significant because plant remains and human tissue rarely survive together, making direct evidence of ancient drug use difficult to establish.

The burial mound in Tyva contained more than 1,400 cannabis seeds, dated to the early eighth century BC, and hair from several people with chemical traces consistent with THC and related compounds. The researchers say the findings, together with the elaborate funerary setting, point to ritual use; the hair alone cannot show how the cannabis was consumed, though inhalation is considered likely.

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