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Ancient Egyptian Mug Reveals Evidence of Psychedelic Ingredients

A mug intricately carved in the likeness of the ancient Egyptian deity Bes was added to the Tampa Museum of Art collection in 1984. Recent research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, has unveiled traces of psychedelic compounds within this 2,000-year-old artifact.

Resembling the head of Bes, this mug likely served a significant role during Egypt’s Ptolemaic era, around the second century B.C.E. Bes is recognized as a deity of joy, fertility, and domestic safeguard.

Co-author Branko van Oppen, curator at the Tampa Museum of Art, notes that Egyptologists have long debated the possible uses of such mugs. Researchers ponder whether they contained sacred substances, like water or milk, or were vessels for ceremonial beverages.

The study involved meticulous chemical and DNA analyses of the mug and uncovered elements such as Peganum harmala, also known as Syrian rue, a plant whose seeds are known for inducing visions. Additionally, traces of the Egyptian lotus, recognized for its calming and euphoric effects, were found.

In examining the mug’s contents, researchers identified a mixture that included alcohol, honey, sesame seeds, pine nuts, licorice, and grapes. There were also indications of human blood and other bodily fluids, suggesting a complex and symbolic mixture that may have had more than just recreational use.

Co-author Enrico Greco, a chemist at the University of Trieste, explained that the presence of proteins from bodily fluids such as blood, and possibly breast milk, points to a potentially significant role in ritualistic practices. “These fluids may have underscored themes of life, fertility, and regeneration,” he remarked. “The inclusion of human fluids in the mix was an unexpected yet profound aspect.”

Lead researcher Davide Tanasi, an archaeologist at the University of South Florida, speculates that the mug may have been used in “incubation rituals,” where individuals would sleep in sacred sites seeking divine guidance through dreams. He drew parallels to the Greek cult of Asklepios, where patients awaited healing through dream visitation.

Looking to further their understanding, researchers intend to analyze other known Bes mugs to determine if the contents reveal a common ritualistic recipe used in ancient times.

“This marks the first thorough scientific investigation into the organic residues found in a Bes mug,” Greco stated. “Prior studies lacked tangible evidence of the materials used. Our findings are groundbreaking, shedding light on the actual substances employed and their ritualistic importance.”

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