What may be the earliest known evidence of human drug use has been traced to ancient foragers on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, who appear to have sucked on mind-altering betel nuts as far back as 25,000 years ago, according to a study published in the journal Science Advances.
Analysis of two exceptionally rare prehistoric skeletons revealed dramatic tooth wear alongside chemical traces of a psychoactive compound in the individuals' remaining teeth, suggesting they routinely held and sucked on hard, abrasive betel nuts long before humans are thought to have taken up any form of drug use.
