Ancient Psychedelic Paraphernalia Uncovered in Peru Mountains A recent discovery in the mountains of Peru has shed light on the use of hallucinogenic substances in ancient societies. Researchers found bones carved into tubes that were used as psychedelic paraphernalia, marking the first direct evidence of such practices in the region. These tubes contained substances that were utilized as part of a hierarchical class system and for their hallucinogenic effects.
The study revealed that pre-Inca stone structures in the Peruvian mountains had secret rooms accessible only to the elite members of society. Within these rooms, researchers found bones crafted into tubes that were used for smoking psychoactive plants as part of a ritualistic experience.
Daniel Contreras, an anthropological archaeologist at the University of Florida, emphasized that the consumption of psychoactive substances was not just about inducing visions but was a carefully controlled ritual reserved for a select few individuals, reinforcing the social hierarchy.
A team of researchers from various institutions published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, detailing their investigation of caves located at an elevation of 10,000 feet in the Peruvian mountains. These caves were once under the control of the Chavin Phenomenon, a group that predates the Inca empire by 2,000 years.
The Chavin people, known for their agricultural innovations in the first millennium B.C., were also found to have been experimenting with hallucinogenic substances. The discovery of hollow bone tubes used for psychoactive plant consumption at the Chavin de Huantar ceremonial site represents the earliest known evidence of such practices in the Andean region.
Chemical and microscopic analyses of the tubes revealed traces of nicotine and vilca bean residue, a hallucinogen related to DMT. These tubes were found in private chambers within monumental stone structures, suggesting that ritual activities involving altered mental states were limited to a select group.
The controlled access to altered states allowed the rulers of the Chavin society to maintain power by incorporating psychoactive plants into their ceremonial practices. These rituals, enriched by the use of psychoactive substances, served to reinforce belief systems and social structures.
The ceremonies not only helped establish class distinctions but also justified inequality through the creation of elaborate ceremonial experiences that convinced individuals of the legitimacy of the ruling class. The use of personal visions and altered states was tightly controlled by leadership to retain power and authority within the society.
The use of psychedelics for specific purposes within the mountain society was not the only discovery made by archaeologists. They also uncovered conch shell trumpets in chambers designed to enhance the shells’ musical qualities. This research has provided valuable insights into a site that was first unearthed over a century ago. The Chavin civilization has been linked to earlier, more egalitarian societies as well as the later empires ruled by elites that spanned the mountains. The research team believes that controlled access to mystical experiences played a crucial role in this significant social transition. They expressed excitement about combining ongoing excavations with advanced archaeological techniques to gain a deeper understanding of life at this ancient site.
