cisumevil Posted November 28, 2008 at 13:51 on November 27, 2008, EDT. 11/27/2008 12:00:00 AM Dean Beeby, THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA - Researchers say they have located the world's oldest stash of marijuana, in a tomb in a remote part of China. The cache of cannabis is about 2,700 years old and was clearly "cultivated for psychoactive purposes," rather than as fibre for clothing or as food, says a research paper in the Journal of Experimental Botany. The 789 grams of dried cannabis was buried alongside a light-haired, blue-eyed Caucasian man, likely a shaman of the Gushi culture, near Turpan in northwestern China. The extremely dry conditions and alkaline soil acted as preservatives, allowing a team of scientists to carefully analyze the stash, which still looked green though it had lost its distinctive odour. "To our knowledge, these investigations provide the oldest documentation of cannabis as a pharmacologically active agent," says the newly published paper, whose lead author was American neurologist Dr. Ethan B. Russo. Remnants of cannabis have been found in ancient Egypt and other sites, and the substance has been referred to by authors such as the Greek historian Herodotus. But the tomb stash is the oldest so far that could be thoroughly tested for its properties. The 18 researchers, most of them based in China, subjected the cannabis to a battery of tests, including carbon dating and genetic analysis. Scientists also tried to germinate 100 of the seeds found in the cache, without success. The marijuana was found to have a relatively high content of THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis, but the sample was too old to determine a precise percentage. Researchers also could not determine whether the cannabis was smoked or ingested, as there were no pipes or other clues in the tomb of the shaman, who was about 45 years old. The large cache was contained in a leather basket and in a wooden bowl, and was likely meant to be used by the shaman in the afterlife. "This materially is unequivocally cannabis, and no material has previously had this degree of analysis possible," Russo said in an interview from Missoula, Mont. "It was common practice in burials to provide materials needed for the afterlife. No hemp or seeds were provided for fabric or food. Rather, cannabis as medicine or for visionary purposes was supplied." The tomb also contained bridles, archery equipment and a harp, confirming the man's high social standing. Russo is a full-time consultant with GW Pharmaceuticals, which makes Sativex, a cannabis-based medicine approved in Canada for pain linked to multiple sclerosis and cancer. The company operates a cannabis-testing laboratory at a secret location in southern England to monitor crop quality for producing Sativex, and allowed Russo use of the facility for tests on 11 grams of the tomb cannabis. Researchers needed about 10 months to cut red tape barring the transfer of the cannabis to England from China, Russo said. The inter-disciplinary study was published this week by the British-based botany journal, which uses independent reviewers to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of all submitted papers. The substance has been found in two of the 500 Gushi tombs excavated so far in northwestern China, indicating that cannabis was either restricted for use by a few individuals or was administered as a medicine to others through shamans, Russo said. "It certainly does indicate that cannabis has been used by man for a variety of purposes for thousands of years." Russo, who had a neurology practice for 20 years, has previously published studies examining the history of cannabis. "I hope we can avoid some of the political liabilities of the issue," he said, referring to his latest paper. The region of China where the tomb is located, Xinjiang, is considered an original source of many cannabis strains worldwide. Would of loved a few of those seeds!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Garbage Posted November 28, 2008 One of the nine dozen cannibals of the Water Margin? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nabraxas Posted November 28, 2008 The region of China where the tomb is located, Xinjiang, is considered an original source of many cannabis strains worldwide. Interesting. I've been told that Turpan/Turfan is one ov the few places in China where hashish is made. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
t st tantra Posted November 28, 2008 curious.....this fellow who works with a pharma co selling hemp products also conducts research that shows a long history of the controlled use of cannabis. t s t . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparkster Posted December 1, 2008 which still looked green though it had lost its distinctive odour. bummer, not worth smoking then. :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderIdeal Posted December 6, 2008 that's a very good observation, tst. somehow i'm not surprised the seeds didn't germinate... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devance Posted December 8, 2008 Be kind of interesting to see pot plant from the past. My guess is it not as good as the present. They tried it germinate the seeds with water. Not happening. But the way should have tried with 50 percent glycerol and water for rehydration of the seeds. Pegs solution: is all the vitamins and mineral, with various Polyethalene moleculars weights as the variable. If one wanted to go frozen to mars thats what you get first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woof woof woof Posted December 10, 2008 Cheech says to Chong........ "the guy is dead........ why would he need his stach?!!!!" "Lets burn some!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
