A new insight into Cannabis sativa (Cannabaceae) utilization from 2500-year-old Yanghai Tombs, Xinjiang, China
- Author(s)
- Hong-En Jiang, Xiao Li, You-Xing Zhao, David-Kay Ferguson, Francis Hueber, Subir Bera, Yu-Fei Wang, Liang-Cheng Zhao, Chang-Jiang Liu, Cheng-Sen Li
- Abstract
A cache of shoots, leaves and fruits dated by 14C at 2500 years B.P. were unearthed in the Yanghai Tombs, Turpan District in Xinjiang, China. By comparing the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the plant remains found in the tomb and specimens of modern plants, it is shown that the remains belong to Cannabis. Based on the shamanistic background of the deceased man and ancient customs, it is assumed that the Cannabis was utilized for ritual/medicinal purposes. Π2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Palaeontology
- External organisation(s)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Bureau of Cultural Relics of Turpan Prefecture, Smithsonian Institution, University of Calcutta, Beijing Forestry University
- Journal
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology
- Volume
- 108
- Pages
- 414-422
- No. of pages
- 9
- ISSN
- 0378-8741
- Publication date
- 2006
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 1060 Biology, 105118 Palaeontology, 1051 Geology, Mineralogy
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/ecc3db76-8dd8-4837-b671-00d42c34889f