History Lesson: How was Weed Used In Egyptian Culture?

The plant known as Cannabis sativa has received appreciation from human civilizations around the globe and over thousands of years of history. Some of the oldest uses of cannabis in human history have been traced back to ancient Egypt, where it was recognized for its medicinal properties.

Although cannabis is currently a subject of controversy, there is evidence that the plant has been a feature of human civilizations worldwide for a long time. This article looks back in time at the history of cannabis, giving special attention to the role of the cannabis plant in ancient Egyptian culture. 

Uses of Cannabis in Ancient Egypt

Cannabis has been used for rituals and medicines in ancient cultures around the globe. The use of cannabis in ancient Egypt, however, remains a mystery to historians and archaeologists, who remain divided on whether or not the plant played any role in the culture of the ancient Egyptians.

Although the evidence supporting the hypothesis that cannabis was used in ancient Egypt is scarce and often contested, there are interesting indicators that the remarkable cannabis plant had popularity there far ahead of the current age.

As far as physical evidence goes, cannabis pollen is said to have been discovered in the tomb of Ramses II, from 1200 BCE. There are even soil samples containing cannabis pollen that date back to pre-dynastic periods, which means that cannabis may have been present as early as before 3200 BCE. However, these samples are small and scarce, and it is contested whether the evidence indicates that cannabis was used in these ancient cultures, or if there was cross-contamination of cannabis pollen via the wind or other human activity over the years. 

Despite the weak physical evidence of cannabis use in ancient Egypt, there are written references that some scholars find to be compelling evidence of the presence of the plant in ancient Egypt. The Ebers papyrus is considered the most direct and convincing piece of evidence for cannabis in ancient Egypt. This historic document is an ancient Egyptian medical text from around 1550 BCE. The text refers to a plant called “shemshemet,” which certain scholars are confident was actually cannabis. This plant is featured in various recipes for medicinal applications, most notably topical application to reduce inflammation. 

However, whether or not “shemshemet” truly refers to cannabis is still hotly debated, and some experts argue that the term could refer to a different plant altogether. It is overall unclear what evidence supports whether “shemshemet” indeed refers to cannabis or not, which adds to the mystery of cannabis’ history in ancient Egypt. 

There is also speculation that the goddess Seshat was associated with the cannabis plant. Seshat is the Egyptian goddess of the written word, her name literally translating as “female scribe.” She immortalizes the works of great writers in the library of the gods.

The goddess is typically featured wearing a leopard skin draped over her robe with a headdress of a seven-pointed star. This star bears interesting resemblance to a cannabis leaf. This interpretation of the headdress has not been confirmed, but the star is strikingly similar in appearance to the leaf we use to symbolize the special plant today.

More Questions than Answers

Cannabis may have been used medicinally in ancient Egypt, but this theory is still a subject of debate and is based on unclear evidence. Because the Ebers Papyrus and other medical texts mention the use of various plants for treating ailments, it would be interesting if this document really did refer to cannabis among its remedies.

Although the evidence is still uncertain, it seems that if cannabis was used in ancient Egyptian medicine, it might have been for its analgesic or anti-inflammatory properties, given that these benefits are well-documented in modern medical research. This would mean that not only is cannabis relevant to medicine today, but also the earliest human civilizations had appreciated the healing benefits of this plant long before it became popular to do so.