title: A new insight into Cannabis sativa (Cannabaceae) utilization from 2500-year-old Yanghai Tombs, Xinjiang, China.
abstract: A cache of shoots, leaves and fruits dated by (14)C 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China.
authors.forename: Hong-En
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: You-Xing
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hueber
authors.forename: Subir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bera
authors.forename: Yu-Fei
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Liang-Cheng
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Chang-Jiang
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Cheng-Sen
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002188:Cannabis / Q000145:classification / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002681:China; D005580:Fossils; D005638:Fruit / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000145:classification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes