Cannabis in Ancient China

The question asks about the use of cannabis in ancient China, with a focus on the most recent information available. The most relevant information points to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and the discovery of cannabis in a soldier's tomb.

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The discovery of a Tang dynasty soldier's tomb in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, provides compelling evidence of cannabis use in ancient China.[1] The tomb, undisturbed for 1,320 years, contained well-preserved artifacts, including jars of staple food.[1] Within these jars, researchers found remnants of cannabis seeds, some retaining their original color, suggesting they were a significant part of the diet. [1] [2] The seeds were nearly twice the size of modern cannabis seeds, and their presence alongside grains like millet indicates their importance as a food source.[2]

This discovery supports the idea that cannabis was more than just a source of nutrition; it was also used for mental stimulus, clothing, and medicine.[1] Ancient Chinese texts often referred to cannabis as one of the "wu gu," or "five staple food crops."[2] The soldier, Guo Xing, who died at 90, may have consumed cannabis as part of his diet.[2] The researchers believe that the cannabis was buried as food for the tomb owner’s death and health in the afterlife.[2]

Further research indicates that cannabis use in China dates back much further. Archaeological discoveries have unearthed cannabis remnants in tombs across China, some dating back as far as 6,600 years ago.[2] In the Yanghai Tombs near Turpan, Xinjiang-Uighur Autonomous Region, a 2,700-year-old grave of a shaman was found with a large cache of cannabis, suggesting its use as a medicinal or psychoactive agent.[3] The study of the cannabis from the tomb concluded that the plant was cultivated for psychoactive purposes.[3]

The use of cannabis in ancient China also extended to ritualistic practices. In the Pamir Mountains, archaeologists found evidence of cannabis smoking dating back to 500 BCE, with residue testing high for cannabinol, a chemical released when THC is burned.[8] This suggests the use of potent cannabis strains in burial ceremonies.[8]

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