 | Doug Weller wrote: > On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 18:29:49 -0600, in sci.archaeology, deowll wrote: > [SNIP] > > > >Some of the nicotine may have come from old world plants used to preserve > >the body though that didn't explain everything. The only known source of > >cocaine would be a new world plant. The stuff didn't seem to be modern day > >contamination. > > This isn't correct. There are other potential sources of cocaine. > The full article will be back soon, but look at http://tinyurl.com/5aqn9 > > Doug
Goodness, Weller.. I do think you've discovered something even more remarkable; a hitherto unknown continental network supplying an ancient Egyptian high drug culture:
"Even so there must be adequate explanations that can account for the presence of hashish, nicotine and cocaine in the mummies analysed by Dr Svetlana Balabanova that do not depend on the conviction that the ancient Egyptians and Americans traded drugs across the Atlantic."
"The German research group published their initial findings in 1992. [11] Balabanova, an experienced forensic chemist, used radioimmunoassay and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify and confirm the presence of cocaine, nicotine and hashish in Egyptian mummies."
The origin of one of your alternate Erythroxylum ('Lily of the Nile') source being:
"Native to Southern Africa, these strong-growing perennials are popular for their fine foliage and showy flowers produced in late summer. They are ideal for edging along a wall, driveway, or fence and make splendid pot plants."
....which would put it way south of Punt.
|
|