Researchers Discover Ancient Psychedelic Mixture in Egyptian Mug

### Ancient Egyptian Rituals and Hallucinogenic Drinks: Insights from the Bes Mug Discovery

A recent breakthrough in archaeological and chemical research has uncovered fascinating details about the religious and cultural practices of Ancient Egypt. A 2nd-century BCE drinking vessel—known as the “Bes mug”—has been found to contain remnants of a hallucinogenic concoction. This remarkable find not only offers a glimpse into ancient rituals but also highlights the advanced understanding of pharmacology and fermentation in the ancient world. The Bes mug, part of the Tampa Museum of Art’s permanent collection, is now garnering global attention due to its historical and scientific significance.

#### The Artifact and its Mythological Context

The Bes mug, a small yet intricately designed artifact, stands at just four and a half inches tall (~11.4 cm). Its unique design features the depiction of Bes, an Ancient Egyptian deity revered as a protector of households, mothers, and children. Bes was celebrated for warding off illness, evil spirits, and predatory beings. His connection to childbirth, pregnancy, and overall protection made him a prominent figure in household rituals and ceremonies.

Donated to the Tampa Museum of Art in 1984, the Bes mug is believed to have been used in religious or medicinal practices during the Hellenistic Ptolemaic period. A three-dimensional virtual model of the mug, created by University of South Florida (USF) researchers, is now available online, offering scholars and enthusiasts alike a chance to explore its intricate design.

#### Unraveling the Ingredients: The Ancient Cocktail

Led by USF professor Davide Tanasi and the museum’s curator Branko van Oppen de Ruiter, a team of researchers conducted residue analysis of the vessel. The findings revealed a complex mixture of substances used to create the ancient brew. Key ingredients detected included:

1. **Wheat, Sesame Seeds, and Yeast:** Indicating the presence of a fermented alcoholic beverage, possibly an early form of beer.
2. **Pine Nut or Pine Nut Oil Derivative:** Likely added for flavor or medicinal properties.
3. **Grapes or Pomegranates:** Common elements in ancient brewing, perhaps used to sweeten the liquid.
4. **Honey (or Royal Jelly):** Known for its preservative and medicinal qualities.
5. **Liquorice Root:** Likely added as a flavor enhancer and a mild medicinal ingredient.

However, the analysis revealed much more than the base recipe for this fermented concoction—hallucinogenic compounds and human bodily fluids were also found.

#### Psychedelic and Ritualistic Additives

The researchers identified traces of two psychoactive substances in the residue:
– **Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala):** Known to induce dream-like visions, act as a pain reliever, and historically used to induce labor or serve as a natural abortifacient.
– **Blue Water Lily (Egyptian Lotus):** Celebrated for its sedative and mild intoxicating properties. Scholars speculate that it may be the plant referenced in Homer’s *Odyssey* as the source of the mythical “lotus-eaters’” intoxicated bliss.

Even more astonishing were traces of human bodily fluids, including **breast milk, human blood, and mucosal membrane secretions (possibly oral or vaginal).** Such ingredients suggest the concoction was not intended for casual consumption but instead held deep ritualistic and symbolic meaning.

#### The Purpose of the Brew

Given the inclusion of both hallucinogenic plants and human bodily fluids, researchers have posited that the Bes mug’s contents were likely associated with sacred or ceremonial practices. The brew may have been consumed during rituals related to fertility, childbirth, or divine inspiration. The involvement of bodily fluids further underscores the sacred and intimate nature of these ceremonies, with possible connections to Bes’s role as a guardian deity.

“The high variety of flavors might have been used to mask the taste of some ingredients that wouldn’t have been pleasant on their own,” explained van Oppen de Ruiter during a public lecture on the findings. This complex blend points to a remarkable understanding of chemistry and pharmacology, as well as a deep spiritual or symbolic purpose.

#### Religious and Cultural Significance

For Ancient Egyptians, religion was an integral part of everyday life, influencing personal, social, and political spheres. According to Tanasi, this discovery provides “scientific proof that the Egyptian myths have some kind of truth” and sheds light on the enigmatic rituals taking place in places like the Bes Chambers near the pyramids of Giza.

The Bes mug’s hallucinogenic contents might have facilitated altered states of consciousness to foster divine connection or enhance ritual experiences. The presence of Bes’s imagery on the vessel aligns with the deity’s protective symbolism, particularly during childbirth, a perilous event in ancient times.

#### Implications for Archaeological Research

This study bridges the gap between mythology and material evidence, reinforcing the idea that ancient myths and religious practices