Some evidence at last!
27/04/08 10:56
It seems that archaeologists near Colchester have
uncovered the grave of an Iron Age man, a healer,
that they suppose may have been a druid.
Alongside his remains were a board game, some surgical tools, some metal rods (perhaps for divination) and, get this, a tea strainer. And in it, mushrooms? Alas not, but perhaps more interestingly plant remains belonging to the genus Artemesia.
Artemesia contains both Wormwood and Mugwort, both of which have psychoactive properties. Mugwort grows commonly on waste ground and along road sides. It was known as 'gypsy tobacco' or 'sailor's tobacco' because if smoked the dried leaves produce a groggy, cannabis-like high, with interesting effects on the inner vision, mild but tangible. It can also be made into a tea.
Wormwood, on the other hand, was the active ingredient of absinthe about which enough has been said already.
Archaeologists have suggested that the Artemesia tea might have been used for healing (indeed) but it seems fairly safe to conclude that it might also have been used for magical working and/or its psychoactive properties.
Evidence at last!
Read more here.
Alongside his remains were a board game, some surgical tools, some metal rods (perhaps for divination) and, get this, a tea strainer. And in it, mushrooms? Alas not, but perhaps more interestingly plant remains belonging to the genus Artemesia.
Artemesia contains both Wormwood and Mugwort, both of which have psychoactive properties. Mugwort grows commonly on waste ground and along road sides. It was known as 'gypsy tobacco' or 'sailor's tobacco' because if smoked the dried leaves produce a groggy, cannabis-like high, with interesting effects on the inner vision, mild but tangible. It can also be made into a tea.
Wormwood, on the other hand, was the active ingredient of absinthe about which enough has been said already.
Archaeologists have suggested that the Artemesia tea might have been used for healing (indeed) but it seems fairly safe to conclude that it might also have been used for magical working and/or its psychoactive properties.
Evidence at last!
Read more here.
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