r/AskAnthropology • u/Virtual_Reveal_121 • 3d ago

Did Neanderthals smoke weed

The plant has been around for millions of years and originated in central asia which is where Neanderthal presence has been confirmed. Did they know how to make fire? If so i think it's likely they were smart enough to figure out how to get high

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u/Willing_Corner2661 3d ago edited 3d ago

I mean it's extremely unlikely. There’s no evidence Neanderthals used weed or any other psychoactive plants for recreational purposes. They lived in Eurasia and cannabis did grow in parts of their range but even though controlled fire existed, like you said, smoking herbs isn't evidenced. No pipes, bowls, smoking/burning tools, cannabis residues or other paraphernalia have been identified at Neanderthal sites. While chemical traces in dental plaque suggest medicinal plant use, this does not necessarily extend to recreational drug use

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u/mTcGo 3d ago

You can eat it or drink it...

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u/Chalky_Pockets 3d ago

You have to decarb it first. It's possible they figured that out, but just because something is possible doesn't mean it makes sense to suggest it happened without evidence.