A new insight into Cannabis sativa (Cannabaceae) utilization from 2500-year-old Yanghai Tombs, Xinjiang, China.
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.
Jiang
Hong-En
HE
Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China.
Li
Xiao
X
Zhao
You-Xing
YX
Ferguson
David K
DK
Hueber
Francis
F
Bera
Subir
S
Wang
Yu-Fei
YF
Zhao
Liang-Cheng
LC
Liu
Chang-Jiang
CJ
Li
Cheng-Sen
CS
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
D002247:Carbon Isotopes