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The use of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.) as a hallucinogen at Neolithic ‘ritual’ sites: a re-evaluation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

D. J. Long ,
R. Tipping ,
T. G. Holden ,
M. J. Bunting  and
P. Milburn
D. J. Long
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Science, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland
R. Tipping
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Science, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland
T. G. Holden
Affiliation:
Headland Archaeology Ltd, Unit B4 Albion Business Centre, 78 Albion Road, Edinburgh EH7 5QZ, Scotland
M. J. Bunting
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Hull HU6 7RX, England.
P. Milburn
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT, Scotland
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Abstract

Were drugs in use in prehistory? Recent claims for the use of hallucinogenic substances have been made, and caused a stir. However, new work on a Scottish Neolithic ceremonial site suggests archaeologists (and the media) may have been jumping to the wrong conclusions!

Keywords

NeolithicScotlandceremonial siteBalfarg/Balbirniehenbanehallucinogen
Type
News and Notes
Information
Antiquity , Volume 74 , Issue 283 , March 2000 , pp. 49 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2000

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