A recent study conducted by Professor Davide Tanasi from the University of South Florida revealed the presence of hallucinogens in an ancient Egyptian cup, supporting writings and myths about rituals of ancient Egypt. Tanasi examined one of the few existing Bes cups in the world, including one that has been displayed at the Tampa Museum of Art since 1984. These cups are decorated with the figure of Bes, an Egyptian god or demon revered for his protective, fertility, healing, and purifying properties.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, sheds light on the mystery of how Bes cups were used around 2000 years ago, being the first to thoroughly investigate this aspect. "There is no research that has uncovered what we found in this study," Tanasi shared. He added that Egyptian myths could contain truths and help understand little-known ancient rituals.
Egyptologists believe these cups may have been used in magical rituals, especially in dangerous times such as childbirth, and even to confirm successful pregnancies. The contents of the cups were composed of a mixture of ingredients such as honey, sesame seeds, pine nuts, licorice, and grapes, which were used in beverages that simulated the appearance of blood.
By scraping the internal walls of the cup, a powdered sample was obtained that revealed the presence of psychedelic drugs, bodily fluids, and alcohol. This combination suggests that it was used in magical rituals to recreate Egyptian myths, possibly related to fertility. The research involved collaboration among several experts from USF, as well as universities in Italy, to conduct detailed chemical and DNA analyses.
