The search for the world's first drug is not a quest for a single, definitive answer, but a fascinating look into the evolution of our species and our relationship with the natural world. Instead of one discovery, the journey reveals multiple instances of prehistoric hominids and early humans harnessing the power of plants and fungi, long before the invention of written language or modern science.
Neanderthal's Pharmacological Intelligence
Direct evidence of medicinal use by our closest relatives, the Neanderthals, provides some of the earliest insights into prehistoric pharmacology. In 2017, researchers analyzed ancient dental plaque from a Neanderthal jawbone found in El Sidrón cave in Spain, dating back roughly 49,000 years. The findings were remarkable:
- Poplar (Aspirin's Precursor): DNA analysis revealed the Neanderthal had ingested poplar bark, which contains salicylic acid, the active compound in modern aspirin. This was consumed while the individual was suffering from a dental abscess, suggesting intentional use for pain relief.
- Penicillium (Natural Antibiotic): The same dental plaque contained traces of Penicillium fungus, a natural antibiotic, which the Neanderthal may have used to treat an intestinal parasite that caused severe diarrhea.
These discoveries demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of plant properties, debunking older theories that painted Neanderthals as unintelligent “cavemen”. The act of selecting specific plants for their non-nutritional but beneficial properties is a pivotal moment in the history of medicine.
The Role of Fungi and Other Plants in Prehistory
Beyond the Neanderthal discoveries, other evidence from prehistoric burial sites points to early medicinal exploration.
Notable Prehistoric Finds
- Birch Polypore Fungus: Found with Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy, this fungus is a known laxative. Its presence among his belongings suggests a deliberate inclusion for its medicinal effects.
- Ephedra: Archaeological finds in a 15,000-year-old Moroccan burial cave showed that Paleolithic peoples used Ephedra cones. The cones contain ephedrine, a powerful stimulant and vasoconstrictor, suggesting they were used for ritualistic purposes or to treat bleeding.
- Chamomile and Yarrow: Pollen from plants like chamomile and yarrow, known for their sedative and astringent properties, were found at a 60,000-year-old Neanderthal burial site in Iraq. While a more recent study suggests burrowing bees may have introduced the pollen later, it still supports the idea that these plants were part of the prehistoric environment.
The Rise of Documented Pharmacology: Early Civilizations
With the advent of agriculture and writing, the use of certain potent plant-based drugs becomes more definitively documented. While these discoveries aren't the first in a prehistoric sense, they represent the beginning of organized and recorded pharmacology.
Opium: The “Joy Plant”
- Sumerian Tablets (c. 3400 BCE): The Sumerians of Mesopotamia recorded their cultivation of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), calling it the “joy plant”. This is one of the earliest written records of a drug and its euphoric properties. Its use quickly spread to the Assyrians and Egyptians.
- Egyptian Medical Texts (c. 1550 BCE): The Ebers Papyrus describes the use of opium as a pain reliever and sedative.
- Archaeological Evidence: Poppy seeds and remains have been found at Neolithic sites across Europe, with direct dating placing its use in the Mediterranean as far back as the mid-sixth millennium BCE.
Cannabis and Alcohol
- Cannabis (c. 2700 BCE): The Chinese medical text The Herbal provides the first written record of cannabis use for ailments such as malaria and rheumatism. Seeds were found at earlier archaeological sites, dating back to 8100 BCE in Asia.
- Alcohol (c. 3500 BCE): Written records from Egypt describe breweries producing beer. Earlier, prehistoric peoples likely consumed fermented fruits containing alcohol, but documentation only appears much later.
Comparison of Prehistoric vs. Documented Drug Use
| Aspect | Prehistoric Medicinal Use (e.g., Neanderthals) | Early Civilized Drug Use (e.g., Sumerians, Egyptians) |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence Type | Inferred from archaeological residues (dental plaque, pollen), preserved remains (Ötzi's fungus) | Documented in written texts (clay tablets, papyri) and supported by artifacts (vessels, burial remains) |
| Knowledge Base | Observational and empirical. Learned through trial and error by closely observing nature and effects. | Organized and recorded. Knowledge passed down through texts and specialized roles (priests, physicians). |
| Application | Primarily self-medication for acute pain or infection. Also used ritually. | Widespread applications, including medicine, ritual, anesthesia, and trade. |
| Substances | Locally available plants and fungi, such as poplar and Penicillium. | Widely cultivated and traded plants like opium poppies, cannabis, and grapevines. |
| Limitations | Difficult to determine scope and exact preparation due to decay of organic materials. | More precise and widespread, though still limited by the era's understanding of disease. |
The Unresolved Definition of “Drug”
Part of the difficulty in answering “what was the first drug found on Earth?” lies in the definition of a drug itself. Is it any substance with a physiological effect, or does it require intentional, medicinal use? Prehistoric hominids, like modern-day animals, may have ingested various substances unknowingly, while other uses, like a Neanderthal chewing a specific bark for a toothache, show clear intent. The line between food, intoxicant, and medicine was blurry for millennia.
Furthermore, the archaeological record is incomplete. Perishable organic materials, especially plants and chemicals, decay quickly, leaving little trace unless conditions are exceptionally favorable. This means many earlier discoveries may be lost forever. We may never know what else ancient humans or their ancestors used.
Conclusion
While the search for a single, definitive first drug found on Earth is a dead end, the journey reveals a more profound truth about human ingenuity and adaptation. The earliest documented evidence points to prehistoric hominids, like the Neanderthals, demonstrating a remarkably sophisticated understanding of pharmacology by using substances such as poplar and natural antibiotic molds for therapeutic purposes. As human societies evolved, so too did our use and documentation of medicine, leading to the widespread cultivation of plants like the opium poppy and cannabis for both health and ritual. Our pharmacological history is not a single point of origin, but a vast and ancient tapestry woven from countless observations and discoveries spanning tens of thousands of years.
Learn more about the fascinating topic of prehistoric medicine in this excellent overview of the historical review of medicinal plants' usage.
Key Takeaways
- Neanderthal Self-Medication: Archaeological evidence from El Sidrón cave suggests Neanderthals consumed poplar bark (a source of salicin, an aspirin precursor) and Penicillium mold to treat pain and infection.
- No Single 'First Drug': Due to the perishable nature of plants and the scarcity of archaeological evidence, pinpointing a single 'first drug' is impossible; the quest reveals a long, evolving history of natural medicine.
- Opium's Ancient Roots: While not the earliest, the opium poppy has a long documented history, with Sumerian tablets from around 3400 BCE describing it as the "joy plant" for medicinal and ritual use.
- Fungi and Other Plants: Other prehistoric evidence includes the birch polypore fungus found with Ötzi the Iceman (5,000 years ago), possibly used as a laxative, and potential use of Ephedra (a stimulant) 15,000 years ago.
- Beyond Medicinal Use: Many early drugs were also used for ritual, spiritual, and recreational purposes, demonstrating a complex relationship between ancient peoples and psychoactive substances.
- Incomplete Record: The lack of a single definitive answer is largely due to the incomplete archaeological record, as organic materials like plants do not preserve well over time, hindering our ability to uncover earlier uses.
- Evolving Understanding: The study of early drugs is constantly evolving as new technologies, like DNA analysis of ancient dental plaque, provide fresh insights into prehistoric pharmacological practices.
FAQs
Q: What is the earliest direct evidence of a drug being used? A: The earliest direct evidence comes from the analysis of dental plaque from Neanderthals in Spain, dating to around 49,000 years ago. It showed they had used poplar bark (for pain) and Penicillium mold (for infection).
Q: Why is it difficult to determine the first drug found on Earth? A: Pinpointing the first drug is challenging because organic plant material decays rapidly, leaving little trace over millennia. Additionally, early use was observational and unrecorded, making it difficult to differentiate between food, medicine, and poison.
Q: What is the history of opium use? A: The opium poppy was one of the first plants intentionally cultivated for its psychoactive properties. Sumerian tablets from around 3400 BCE documented its use, referring to it as the "joy plant.". Later, Egyptians used it for medicinal purposes.
Q: Did Neanderthals really use medicine? A: Yes, evidence from dental plaque suggests Neanderthals understood the medicinal properties of certain plants and fungi. They used poplar bark containing a precursor to aspirin for pain and Penicillium mold for infection.
Q: What other prehistoric evidence of medicinal plants exists? A: Evidence includes the birch polypore fungus carried by Ötzi the Iceman (a laxative), and possible use of Ephedra cones (a stimulant) in a 15,000-year-old Moroccan burial cave.
Q: How did early humans discover medicinal plants? A: Early humans likely discovered the effects of medicinal plants through trial and error, as well as by observing how animals in the wild used certain plants to self-medicate when they were ill.
Q: Does ancient use of drugs mean they are safe? A: Not at all. While plants have powerful properties, their use can be dangerous. The concept of dose response, understanding that the dose determines if a substance is a poison, came much later in the 16th century. Early civilizations were also aware of potential harm and overdose.
