Discovery at Tel Arad

The question asks about the use of cannabis in ancient religious practices, specifically in the Kingdom of Judah. Here's a breakdown of the findings:

Analysis of the Altars

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of cannabis use in an ancient Jewish shrine at Tel Arad, located in the Negev desert, about 35 miles south of Jerusalem.[1] This site contains the remains of an Israelite fortress dating back to the 10th to 6th centuries B.C.[1] Within the shrine, two limestone altars were found, and chemical analysis revealed the presence of burnt cannabis and frankincense.[1]

Significance of the Findings

The smaller altar contained a mixture of animal dung and cannabis, with sufficient THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis) to induce a high.[1] The larger altar contained animal fats and frankincense.[1] The animal dung and fats were likely used to burn the cannabis and frankincense at temperatures that would release their respective mind-altering and fragrant smoke.[1]

Implications and Interpretations

This discovery provides the first evidence that cannabis was part of religious life in the ancient kingdom of Judah.[1] The shrine at Tel Arad dates to roughly 760-715 B.C. [1] The presence of cannabis suggests it played a central role in the cultic rituals performed there.[1] The shrine's architectural similarities to the First Temple in Jerusalem suggest that similar ritual practices may have taken place at the biblical house of worship.[1] The cannabis may have been imported from southeastern Russia or China, or spread west from Asia along the Silk Road.[1]

Additional Context

The findings suggest that the use of cannabis in the shrine was likely for its mind-altering effects, as the study's authors noted.[4] The use of frankincense alongside cannabis implies that there were special independent connotations assigned to the use of each plant substance.[1] The discovery also has implications for understanding trade routes at the time.[1] The researchers speculate that the cannabis was likely grown somewhere in southeastern Russia or China, and that information about cannabis use spread west from Asia along the Silk Road.[1] The discovery of cannabis in the shrine at Tel Arad is the earliest evidence of the use of cannabis in the Ancient Near East.[5]

Biblical Connection

The shrine at Tel Arad was part of a fortress guarding the kingdom of Judah's southern border.[2] The analysis detected frankincense mixed with animal fats on one of the altars, and cannabis mixed with animal dung on the other.[2] The animal dung allowed the cannabis to be burned at a lower temperature.[2] The amount of THC in the sample was enough to have induced an altered state of consciousness.[2]

Conclusion

The discovery has led to speculation about the potential use of cannabis in the Temple in Jerusalem, given the architectural similarities between the Tel Arad shrine and the First Temple.[4] However, some scholars caution against drawing direct parallels, citing biblical prohibitions against pagan practices.[4] The study's findings could serve as an extra-biblical source to identify incense used in cultic practices in Arad and elsewhere in Judah.[4]

The discovery of cannabis residue on altars in the ancient Judahite shrine at Tel Arad provides the earliest known evidence of hallucinogenic substance found in the Kingdom of Judah, suggesting its use in religious rituals.[3]

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