Ancient Egyptians Drank Hallucinogenic Drinks from Head-Shaped Containers during Fertility Rituals

### Ancient Egyptian Fertility Practices: Mind-Altering Brews and the Secrets of the Bes Mug

Historically, the concept of fertility has frequently converged with religion, mythology, and ritualistic activities in various cultures. While the Romans extolled the fertility goddess **Ceres** and the Aztecs honored entire divine hierarchies for fertility, ancient Egyptian practices might have gone even further by creating psychotropic potions for their mystical rites. A pioneering study has recently disclosed that a mixture of hallucinogenic substances, bodily fluids, and symbolic components played a crucial role in rituals related to pregnancy and childbirth in ancient Egypt.

This revelation arises from a collaborative research initiative spearheaded by Professor **Davide Tanasi** from the University of South Florida’s History Department. By employing chemical and DNA methodologies, the team scrutinized residues within a distinctive artifact known as a Bes mug, an ancient Egyptian ceramic container linked to fertility rituals. The results illuminate the spiritual traditions of ancient Egyptians, especially during the Greco-Roman epoch.

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### What is a Bes Mug?

The Bes mug derives its name from the ancient Egyptian deity **Bes**, who was associated with fertility, childbirth, magical purification, protection, and healing. Bes was commonly portrayed as a dwarf-like figure featuring pronounced facial traits, a feathered headdress, and a protruding tongue—a demeanor believed to repel malevolent spirits. Crafted between the 16th century BCE and the 5th century CE, these elaborately designed ceramic vessels were often shaped to resemble the deity’s head.

Bes mugs have intrigued Egyptologists for decades, though their exact function remained uncertain. Many speculated that these artifacts were integral to religious rites or magical ceremonies, potentially connected to fertility rites performed in sacred locations such as the **Bes Chambers** in Saqqara, a famous funerary site. However, prior to this investigation, concrete proof supporting these theories was lacking.

The Bes mug analyzed in this research is part of the Tampa Museum of Art’s collection in Florida, dating back to the **Ptolemaic period (323–30 BCE)**, a time characterized by the fusion of Egyptian and Hellenistic customs. The vessel, adorned with the captivating facial likeness of Bes, was instrumental in uncovering new insights into ancient rituals.

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### The Brew: What Did Ancient Egyptians Utilize?

Chemical and DNA investigations of residue taken from the mug unveiled a sophisticated mixture crafted for ritualistic purposes. This blend included components possessing both psychotropic and symbolic attributes. Key ingredients comprised:

– **Psychoactive elements:** Sourced from plants with mind-altering properties.
– **Alcohol:** Probably in the form of fermented beverages like wine or beer.
– **Bodily substances:** Including breast milk, mucus, and blood, all of which held symbolic relevance in fertility practices.
– **Flavoring components:** Honey, licorice, sesame seeds, pine nuts, and grapes, which not only enhanced the taste but also contributed to a blood-like appearance.

The findings imply that this concoction had both **ritualistic and sensory importance**, potentially crafted to evoke particular emotions, visions, or spiritual experiences during ceremonies.

Moreover, many of these ingredients were associated with medicinal qualities, underscoring the diverse role of the brew. The incorporation of mind-altering substances indicates that the ritual aimed to provoke **dream-like visions or altered states**, facilitating connections with the divine or reinforcing mystical narratives during this sensitive life stage.

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### The Ceremony and Mythos: A Vision-Provoking Fertility Ritual

The amalgamation of these components, alongside the imagery of Bes present on the mug, suggests its application in **fertility-related ceremonies** conducted during pivotal times, such as pregnancy. Professor Tanasi indicates that