Don't Bogart That Stash

When archeologists opened the tomb of a Gushi shaman in northwest China, they found his stash. Are you surprised to find an ancient shaman liked to toke the herb?

The 2,700 year-old corpse had been buried with close to two pounds of marijuana, making the bust discovery the oldest known use of cannabis for purposes other than food or clothing. And researchers believe that he was entombed with the plant so he could enjoy its stoney properties in the afterlife.

A paper published in the Journal of Experimental Botany reports the find in China’s Xinjiang region, where many modern strains of cannabis are thought to have originated. In addition to the 789 grams of weed, the tomb contained bridles, archery equipment, and a harp - apparent provisions for the afterlife. Unlike other early examples of cannabis use, the research team believed it was common practice in burials to provide materials needed for the afterlife. They are also conducting a battery of tests on the ancient dope, hoping to measure the levels of THC and germinate the seeds found in the cache, in an attempt to better understand ancient uses of the plant - and get an old school high.