It could be the earliest sign of the drug’s use.
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00:00This is an ancient artifact unearthed in central Israel.
00:07Experts say it was made by the Canaanites, and they recently found traces of opium within
00:12it.
00:13The vessel was first discovered way back in 2012 near grave sites, but a recent analysis
00:17of its former contents has revealed traces of the drug.
00:20The archaeologists say they believe the vessel likely held distilled opium, meant to be poured
00:24and mixed with other liquids.
00:26Historians believe it may have been used by priests presiding over burial rituals, where
00:29they would drink the opium and enter what they call an ecstatic state.
00:33This would explain why the vessels were found near graves.
00:36With Israel Antiquities Authority Ron Beery saying about the find,
00:39The significance is that if these vessels really contained opium, it indicates how popular
00:43this product was and how much it was consumed during this period.
00:46The artifacts are from the 14th century BC, meaning this is likely the first known evidence
00:51of opium's use as a drug ever discovered.
00:54Traces of other historical drugs have been found in Israel previously.
00:57After an 8th century BC shrine was discovered in 2020 with trace amounts of cannabis present
01:02on it.