Ancient Remains in Indonesia Reveal Earliest Known Human Drug Use

Researchers have discovered evidence that humans used psychoactive substances as far back as 20,000 years ago. The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, come from the remains of hunter gatherers found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Led by Adam Brumm of Griffith University, the team identified specific dental wear on the remains of two individuals that suggests they habitually sucked or chewed on betel nuts, which are seeds from the areca palm.

One individual, designated Maros-LBB-1a, lived between 25,000 and 16,000 years ago. A second individual, CPL-R2a, lived between 7,600 and 6,300 years ago. Both were over 35 years old at the time of death. The researchers identified deep, circumferential grooves on the teeth that match the pattern created by holding a small, hard, spherical object in the mouth for long periods. Analysis of the dental tissue also detected arecoline, the primary psychoactive compound in betel nuts.

This discovery pushes back the timeline for human drug use. Previous theories suggested such practices began around 13,000 years ago during the Neolithic Revolution with the domestication of plants and the brewing of beer. While modern users often mix betel nut with slaked lime to increase the absorption of arecoline, the researchers believe these prehistoric foragers used the seeds in their natural state. Brumm suggested that the practice may have started as a medicinal remedy for toothaches, though the abrasive nature of the seeds eventually caused severe dental damage.

Today, betel nut is considered one of the most widely used psychoactive substances globally, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. While it provides mild euphoria and increased energy, chronic use is linked to dependency and oral cancer.