Use of psychoactive and stimulant plants on the south coast of Peru from the Early Intermediate to Late Intermediate Period
Journal of Archaeological Science October 13, 2022 Dagmara M. Socha, Marzena Sykutera, Giuseppe Orefici 15 citations
Coca leaves were present on the southern Peruvian coast since the Early Nazca Period (100 BCE - 450 CE), based on toxicological analysis of hair from 22 naturally mummified individuals, including four trophy heads. The study also detected harmine and harmaline, likely from Banisteriopsis caapi (a component of ayahuasca), and mescaline from San Pedro cactus, representing the oldest archaeological evidence of consumption of these two plants. Banisteriopsis caapi is native to the Amazon, indicating long-distance trade. Mescaline was found in hair from a child victim whose head was made into a trophy head, providing the first proof that some trophy head victims received stimulants before death.