Ancient Egypt breakthrough as 2,000-year-old mug leads to 'psychedelic drugs' discovery

Groundbreaking research has revealed that an ancient Egyptian "Bes mug," a vessel dating back 2,000 years, was last used to serve a potent cocktail.

The beverage included psychedelic drugs, alcohol, and other substances as part of medicinal rituals of the Greco-Roman period in Egypt the research said.

Professor Davide Tanasi of the University of South Florida led the analysis, employing advanced chemical and DNA testing on the mug's inner walls. 

The artefact, donated to the Tampa Museum of Art in 1984, bears the image of Bes, an ancient Egyptian deity associated with protection, fertility, healing, and magic.  

"For the first time, we were able to identify all the chemical signatures of the liquid concoction contained in the Tampa Museum of Art's Bes mug," said Prof Tanasi. 

The analysis uncovered psychotropic plants, alcohol, and bodily fluids mixed with honey, sesame seeds, pine nuts, liquorice, and grapes. 

The mixture, he explained, was likely designed to resemble blood, a symbolic element in ancient rituals.  

Historians believe the psychedelic brew was used in magical rituals, potentially tied to fertility and childbirth.

Branko van Oppen, curator of Greek and Roman art at the Tampa Museum of Art, explained that ancient Egyptians sought divine intervention during pregnancy, a perilous time in the ancient world.  

"Egyptologists believe that people visited the so-called Bes Chambers at Saqqara when they wished to confirm a successful pregnancy," said van Oppen. 

The Bes Chambers, located near the Great Pyramids of Giza, were sites of sacred rituals and offerings.  

The combination of psychotropic and medicinal substances in the mug's cocktail suggests it may have been used to induce dream visions or altered states of consciousness, helping participants connect with the divine and seek assurance of a healthy pregnancy.  

Bes mugs are distinctively decorated with the face of Bes, a protector deity revered in both domestic and temple settings. 

Until now, their purpose had remained speculative, with theories ranging from ceremonial wine vessels to containers for sacred water.  

"This research teaches us about magic rituals in the Greco-Roman period in Egypt," said van Oppen.

 It also provides insights into how ancient Egyptians blended practical medicine with spiritual practices, showcasing their sophisticated understanding of plant properties and their symbolic significance.