Peyote Alkaloids: Identification in a Prehistoric Specimen of Lophophora from Coahuila, Mexico
Jan G. Bruhn, J.‐e. Lindgren, Bo Holmstedt, J. M. Adovasio
Science March 31, 1978 DOI: 10.1126/science.199.4336.1437 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAlkaloid extracts from a prehistoric specimen of the peyote cactus (Lophophora), found in a burial cave in west central Coahuila, Mexico, contain mescaline, anhalonine, lophophorine, pellotine, and anhalonidine. Radiocarbon dating places the specimen between A.D. 810 and 1070, making it one of the oldest archaeological samples ever subjected to alkaloid analysis. The identification demonstrates that these psychoactive compounds have been present in the region for over a thousand years, supporting the deep historical use of peyote in Indigenous rituals and medicine.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Chemical analysis of archaeological specimen Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Prehistoric specimen of Lophophora (peyote cactus) from a burial cave in Coahuila, Mexico |
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Prehistory Radiocarbon dating Archaeology Cave |
| Citations | 23 |
| Key finding | Mescaline and four other alkaloids were identified in a prehistoric Lophophora specimen radiocarbon-dated to A.D. 810–1070. |
Abstract
Mescaline, anhalonine, lophophorine, pellotine, and anhalonidine have been identified in alkaloid extracts of a prehistoric specimen of Lophophora from a burial cave in west central Coahuila, Mexico. The specimen is associated with radiocarbon dates of A.D. 810 to 1070 and is one of the oldest materials ever submitted to alkaloid analysis.