Skip to main content

ancient egyptian hallucinogenic rituals bes mugs

Ancient Egyptian Rituals Involved Hallucinogenic Cocktails, New Study Confirms

An ancient Egyptian Bes mug featuring the deity Bes, used in rituals, preserved at Tampa Museum of Art.

Groundbreaking Research by University of South Florida Professor

Research by a University of South Florida professor has uncovered the first physical proof of hallucinogens in an Egyptian mug, corroborating ancient written texts and myths surrounding Egyptian rituals.

The Significance of the Bes Mug in Ancient Egypt

Davide Tanasi conducted advanced chemical analyses on one of the rare surviving Egyptian Bes mugs.

The mugs, such as the one donated to the Tampa Museum of Art in 1984, feature the likeness of Bes, an ancient Egyptian deity or protective spirit revered for his roles in safeguarding, fertility, healing, and magical purification.

New Insights into the Use of Bes Mugs

The study, published in Scientific Reports, unveils a long-standing mystery of ancient Egypt: how Bes mugs were used nearly 2,000 years ago.

"No previous research has uncovered what we discovered in this study," Tanasi remarked.

Uncovering the Chemical Signatures Inside the Mug

"For the first time, we successfully identified the complete chemical signatures of the substances in the liquid found inside the Bes mug at the Tampa Museum of Art, including plants used by the Egyptians, all of which possess psychotropic and medicinal properties."

The Mystery Behind the Contents of Bes Mugs

The widespread use of Bes mugs across various contexts over extended periods has made it challenging to speculate about their contents or their significance in ancient Egyptian culture.

Theories and Speculation About Bes Mugs

"For many years, Egyptologists have been pondering the purpose of mugs featuring the head of Bes and what beverages they may have contained, such as sacred water, milk, wine, or beer," said Branko van Oppen, curator of Greek and Roman art at the Tampa Museum of Art. "Scholars were uncertain whether these mugs served a daily function, religious role, or were used in magical rituals."

Scientists conducting chemical and DNA analysis on the inner walls of an ancient Egyptian Bes mug.

Myths vs. Reality in Ancient Egyptian Rituals

Numerous theories regarding the mugs and vases were based on myths, yet only a few were ever scrutinized to uncover their precise ingredients, with the truth being revealed gradually, layer by layer.

Groundbreaking Methodology in Analyzing the Mug's Contents

Tanasi, who led this research as part of the Mediterranean Diet Archaeology project at the USF Institute for the Advanced Study of Culture and the Environment, worked alongside USF researchers and collaborators from Italy's University of Trieste and University of Milan. They conducted chemical and DNA analyses, using a pulverized sample from the vase's inner walls, employing a combination of analytical techniques for the first time to reveal the mug's last contents.

A Unique Approach Reveals the Mug's Contents

This innovative approach proved successful, revealing that the vase contained a cocktail of psychedelic drugs, bodily fluids, and alcohol—a mixture Tanasi believes was used in a magical fertility ritual inspired by an Egyptian myth.

The Ingredients of the Ritual Drink

The  concoction was flavored with honey, sesame seeds, pine nuts, licorice, and grapes, which were commonly used to simulate blood.

Insights into Magical Rituals of Ancient Egypt

"This research sheds light on the magical rituals of the Greco-Roman period in Egypt," Van Oppen stated. "Scholars believe that the Bes Chambers at Saqqara served as destinations for those seeking reassurance of a safe pregnancy, a precarious phase in the ancient era."

Enhancing Our Understanding of Ancient Egyptian Myths and Ritual

"This specific combination of ingredients may have been employed in a magic ritual designed to induce dream-like visions during the perilous period surrounding childbirth."

The Complex Nature of Ancient Egyptian Religion

"Ancient religion is one of the most fascinating and complex topics in historical studies," said Tanasi. "Through this work, we have found scientific confirmations of certain Egyptian myths, enhancing our understanding of the poorly understood rituals practiced in the Bes Chambers at Saqqara near Giza's Great Pyramids."

Source

Don't miss the latest discoveries reshaping our understanding of history—follow us for updates!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NASA chile scientists comet 3i atlas nickel mystery

NASA and Chilean Scientists Study 3I/ATLAS, A Comet That Breaks the Rules Interstellar visitors are rare guests in our Solar System , but when they appear they often rewrite the rules of astronomy. Such is the case with 3I/ATLAS , a fast-moving object that has left scientists puzzled with its bizarre behaviour. Recent findings from NASA and Chilean researchers reveal that this comet-like body is expelling an unusual plume of nickel — without the iron that typically accompanies it. The discovery challenges conventional wisdom about how comets form and evolve, sparking both excitement and controversy across the scientific community. A Cosmic Outsider: What Is 3I/ATLAS? The object 3I/ATLAS —the third known interstellar traveler after "Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019) —was first detected in July 2025 by the ATLAS telescope network , which scans he skies for potentially hazardous objects. Earlier images from Chile's Vera C. Rubin Observatory had unknowingly captured it, but ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Quantum neural algorithms for creating illusions

Quantum Neural Networks and Optical Illusions: A New Era for AI? Introduction At first glance, optical illusions, quantum mechanics, and neural networks may appear unrelated. However, my recent research in APL Machine Learning Leverages "quantum tunneling" to create a neural network that perceives optical illusions similarly to humans. Neural Network Performance The neural network I developed successfully replicated human perception of the Necker cube and Rubin's vase illusions, surpassing the performance of several larger, conventional neural networks in computer vision tasks. This study may offer new perspectives on the potential for AI systems to approximate human cognitive processes. Why Focus on Optical Illusions? Understanding Visual Perception O ptical illusions mani pulate our visual  perce ption,  presenting scenarios that may or may not align with reality. Investigating these illusions  provides valuable understanding of brain function and dysfunction, inc...
Post a Comment
Read more

bermuda triangle rogue waves mystery solved

Bermuda Triangle Mystery: Scientist Claims Rogue Waves May Explain Vanishing Ships and Aircraft for decades, the Bermuda Triangle has captured the world's imagination, often described as a supernatural hotspot where ships vanish and aircraft disappear without a trace. From ghostly ships adrift to unexplained plane crashes, this stretch of ocean between Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Florida remains one of the most infamous maritime mysteries. But now, Dr. Simon Boxall, an oceanographer at the University of Southampton , suggests the answer may not be extraterrestrial at all. Instead, he argues that the truth lies in rogue waves — giant, unpredictable surges of water capable of swallowing even the largest ships within minutes. The Bermuda Triangle: A Legacy of Fear and Fascination The Bermuda Triangle has inspired decades of speculation , with theories ranging from UFO abductions to interdimensional rifts. Popular culture, documentaries and countless books have kept the legend alive, of...
Post a Comment
Read more