2,200-year-old Egyptian vase reveals evidence of hallucinogenic rituals

Researchers have discovered traces of a hallucinogenic drink in a 2,200-year-old Egyptian vase depicting Bes, a dwarf deity associated with childbirth and cheerfulness. The findings, detailed in scientific reports dated November 13, suggest the vessel was used in rituals to recreate a mythical tale involving the appeasement of a sky goddess. The vase, housed at the Tampa Museum of Art, was analyzed using advanced chemical techniques, including ancient DNA extraction and infrared spectroscopy.

Chemical composition indicates ritual use

Traces of wild rue, Egyptian lotus and Cleome plant were detected in the vase, all known for their psychotropic properties, according to a report by the University of South Florida. Ingredients like sesame seeds, pine nuts and grapes were also findwhich the researchers believe could have been used to mimic the appearance of blood. Human bodily fluids, including saliva and blood, have been identified, hinting at ritual consumption or deliberate inclusion in the concoction. These findings suggest the drink’s use in reenactments of the “Myth of the Sun’s Eye,” where Bes appeases the bloodthirsty goddess Hathor with a spiked drink resembling blood.

Potential link with oracular practices

The vase may also have been linked to prophetic rituals. Researchers suggest that the drink may have been consumed as part of practices related to the worship of Bes, particularly in the Chambers of Bes at Saqqara, where individuals sought dream-induced prophecies. According to Branko van Oppen, a curator at the Tampa Museum of Art and co-author of the study, the combination of ingredients may have been used in childbirth rituals to predict pregnancy outcomes.

Provenance and future studies

The vase, acquired by the museum in 1984, came from a private collection but lacks a precise archaeological context. The researchers believe the analysis provides key insights into ancient Egyptian mythological and ritual practices, potentially shedding light on broader cultural beliefs surrounding childbirth and divination. Further studies should explore the significance of such rituals in Greco-Roman Egypt.