Ancient Chinese tomb shows evidence of cannabis use

According to an archaeological study conducted in central China, members of the Tang Dynasty were heavy cannabis users. While the plant was long thought to be used in clothing and food, the study confirmed that people of the time used the plant for nutritional value and considered it an important crop.

The South China Morning Post reports that the discovery of cannabis was made when researchers uncovered a tomb that had been preserved for over a thousand years. Inside, the researchers found the walls covered with paintings from the period and with a variety of well-preserved artifacts. There was also food in jars where researchers found remains of cannabis, with the Chinese reaping the benefits of the plant before it was trendy.

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The cannabis seeds in the jars were a different size than those in existence today, suggesting that the cannabis of the time was different than what we consume today. Researchers believe that this type of cannabis had lower concentrations of THC.

“The cannabis was stored in a pot on the bed of the coffin among other staples like millet. Obviously, Guo Xing’s descendants buried cannabis as an important food crop,” said Jin Guiyun, professor of history at Shandong University.

In a peer-reviewed journal, the professor revealed that cannabis may have been more important than rice for the time. “The cannabis was buried as food for the feast and health of the tomb owner in the afterlife,” they said.

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In Chinese history, cannabis was considered one of the five staple foods with a long history. Researchers have found evidence of cannabis dating back as far as 6,600 years ago.

Despite the country’s history with cannabis, China has some of the strictest marijuana laws, as it is illegal to use or possess. The penalties for being caught with marijuana are severe, including years in prison, expensive fines and even the death penalty.