Chilean mummy reveals the disastrous habits of the ancients

Research has shown that these mummies have a habit of using nicotine for a long time .

Through analysis of hair samples of mummies found in the city of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, scientists have shown that people in this area have a habit of using nicotine for a long time , possibly is from 100 BC - 1450.

Tobacco consumption takes place on a large scale, regardless of social status, but both rich and poor people use nicotine.

This finding disproves the earlier hypothesis, saying: "Only magicians who use this hallucinogen or nicotine but most people in San Pedro de Atacama (SPA) smoke cigarettes. , scientists are still proving that, if they only smoke for a short time, then they gradually switch to sniffing another type of hallucinogenic drug called Dimethyltryptamines " - Hermann Niemeyer - a chemist at the University of Chile in Santiago.

Through research, the hallucinogenic smoking or inhalation has been deeply rooted in the culture and thinking of many societies here. In the southern central Andes, the common hallucinogenic compound is nicotine containing Nicotiana (tobacco plant) and tryptamine containing Anadenanthera (cebil) - hallucinogenic substance.

According to Niemeyer, witches and magicians sometimes use nicotine as a nerve compound to connect with gods. Besides, in low concentrations, these substances will work to overcome illness, solve sleep problems and help treat some other diseases.

Niemeyer and colleagues analyzed the mummy's hair.

Understanding more about nicotine use by SPA people over the ages, Niemeyer and his colleague Javier Echeverría analyzed 56 mummified SPA hair samples from 100 BC to 1450. Bodies This marinade is in a well-preserved condition, in an extremely dry environment.

The team found nicotine in the hair of 35 mummies. In addition, the archaeological evidence of SPA points out that smoking pipes were gradually replaced by trays around the year 400. Affordable, they gradually replaced nicotine with another substance.

Currently, scientists are still finding solutions to this problem. But there is one thing Niemeyer claims, that the consumption of nicotine of SPA occurs continuously for hundreds of years and it is common in all social classes.