Cannabis in Ancient Egypt: Myth or Fact?

The evidence of cannabis use in ancient Egypt begins with the word Shemshemet. In 1934, Warren Dawson translated the Egyptian Shemshemet as Cannabis Sativa.

Some scholars, such as Benson Harer, argue against this assumption. Harer claims there is no evidence that Shemshemet is cannabis and not another plant. Others like Ethan Russo point to at least six supportive experts claiming evidence of cannabis in ancient Egypt (pre-Arab conquest).

Was Shemshemet Cannabis?

However, the actual evidence still seems to rely heavily on Dawson’s translation of Shemshemet. Dawson found a Biblical reference in the Old Testament to a hemp rope from Shemshemet. Then he connected this word with a pyramid text, which translates as: “The king has tied the strings of the Smsˆmt plant”. Dawson decided that this plant was “Cannabis sativa, much more likely” (Russo). According to Dawson’s translation, many associate the word Shemshemet with cannabis. However, no ancient Egyptian cannabis fiber rope has been found.

Egyptians used flax, raffia, palm trees, and camel hair, to name a few (2). Since “hemp” can refer to rope made from any type of plant, Dawson’s translation seems more of a guess than a factual inference. Whether or not this hemp related to cannabis is controversial. Many articles become speculative about cannabis use in ancient Egypt, although historians doubt the validity of these claims.

Based on the Egyptian papyrus, cannabis is said to be used in ancient Egypt to treat inflammation and pain. Some uses for the plant include vaginal honey to reduce inflammation, a poultice for an injured toe or finger, and an eye wash. Cannabis is the most adopted plant for these treatments, based on Dawson’s translation.

According to Harer, cannabis use in Egypt only dates back to the 7th century AD, after the Arab conquest. Egyptians would have been exposed to hashish, an Islamic cannabis concentrate, after all. Cannabis is very popular in Egypt today, but it is still illegal.

Footnote (s)

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17712811/
2. https://www.jstor.org/stable/e26580626