Work

Opium trade and use during the Late Bronze Age: Organic residue analysis of ceramic vessels from the burials of Tel Yehud, Israel

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Organic residue analysis was conducted on various vessels from burials at Tel Yehud, Israel. The analyses led to new reliable evidence for the presence of opioid alkaloids and their decomposition products. This research revitalizes a decades‐old discussion on the presence and function of the opium trade across a cultural region of utmost significance in the Ancient Near East and the use and role of Base‐Ring juglets during the Late Bronze Age IIA (14th century bce ). Furthermore, it was found that opium storage was not limited to Base‐Ring juglets. Opium was possibly diluted into storage jars and juglets, signifying the importance of opium utilization at a larger scale during this period.

Source: Archaeometry

DOI: 10.1111/arcm.12806

Authors: Vanessa Linares, Eriola Jakoel, Ron Be’eri, Oded Lipschits, Ronny Neumann, Yuval Gadot

Institutions: Tel Aviv University, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Antiquities Authority

Language: English

Topic: Archaeology and ancient environmental studies

Subfield: Paleontology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,100

Funders: Gerda Henkel Foundation, Weizmann Institute of Science