Psychedelic substances, biological fluids and alcohol: the composition of the Egyptian ritual cocktail has been revealed (4 photos)

For the first time, scientists have been able to study organic remains inside a 2,000-year-old vessel. According to the findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, the ancient Egyptians consumed a ritual cocktail that included fruits, nuts, psychedelic substances, biological fluids and alcohol.





Experts have studied the vessel, known as Bes's mug, using new technology developed by researchers from the University of South Florida, USA, in collaboration with colleagues from Trieste and Milan, Italy.

"No other study has found what we have found," said researcher Davide Tanasi. "For the first time, we were able to identify all the chemical signatures of the components of the cocktail in the Tampa Museum of Art's Bes mug, including the plants the Egyptians used, all of which have psychotropic and medicinal properties."



The hallucinogen mixture suggests that the potion was used in magical rituals at Saqqara.

"Religion is one of the most interesting and mysterious aspects of ancient civilizations," says Thanasi. "With this study, we have scientifically confirmed that there is some truth to the Egyptian myths. This discovery helps us better understand the complex rituals that were likely performed in the Bes Chambers at Saqqara, near the Great Pyramids of Giza."

The Bes mugs were dedicated to the Egyptian god of the same name. He was depicted with large eyes, a tongue, a tail, and a crown of feathers. He was worshiped and believed to bestow fertility, healing, and protection. The ceremonial ceramic vessels were used throughout Egypt between the 16th century BCE and the 5th century CE. The one on display at the Tampa Museum dates to the Ptolemaic period (323-30 BCE).





Branko van Oppen, curator of Greek and Roman art at the Tampa Museum of Art, said: "For a long time, Egyptologists have been trying to understand what the Bes-headed mugs were used for and what kind of drink they might have contained - sacred water, milk, wine or beer. Experts did not know whether such vessels were used in everyday life, for religious purposes or in magical rituals."

The analysis revealed traces of honey, sesame seeds, pine nuts, licorice and grapes, as well as ingredients that induce altered states, including hallucinogenic substances and alcohol.

This led Thanasi to believe that the mug had previously been used in a magical ritual to establish contact with a deity.

"Egyptologists believe that people visited the so-called Chambers of Bes at Saqqara when they wanted to confirm a successful pregnancy, since pregnancy in the ancient world was fraught with dangers. Such a mixture of ingredients could have been used in a magical ritual to induce visions," Branko van Oppen concluded.