Discovery of Henbane Seeds in Roman Era Reveals Ancient Medicinal Practices

A recent archaeological find in the Netherlands uncovers the intentional use of poisonous henbane seeds by Romans, shedding light on historical medicinal and possibly hallucinogenic applications.

Archaeologists discovered a hollowed-out bone containing hundreds of black henbane seeds in a Roman settlement in the Netherlands, indicating intentional use of the plant.
Henbane, known for its medicinal and hallucinogenic properties, was mentioned by Roman author Pliny the Elder as both a poison and a medicine.
The bone, dating back to between 70 and 100 CE, was crafted as a receptacle for the seeds, providing evidence of deliberate use in the Roman era.
The find suggests that knowledge of henbane's uses may have spread to the Netherlands through interactions with the Roman Empire, possibly by returning Batavian soldiers.
This discovery is the first conclusive evidence of intentional henbane use in the Roman world, contributing to our understanding of ancient medicinal practices.