This discovery was made in archaeological levels dated 15 thousand years ago, specifies in a press release the INSAP which depends on the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, adding that the related study was published by the prestigious journal Nature.
“The plants discovered correspond to the species ‘Ephedra‘ whose fruits were unearthed in an area of the cave which was reserved for burials according to precise rites, very widespread among human groups from the time of stone age and especially that between 22 thousand and 7 thousand years old”, underlines the Institute.
“This plant has several virtues, but it was probably used in stopping hemorrhages and perhaps in alleviating pain,” said the press release, noting that ancient research in the Pigeon Cave in Taforalt revealed uncovered a human skull which contains traces of a surgical operation, called trepanation, dated 15 thousand years ago and considered to be the oldest in the world.
According to INSAP, the oldest presence of this plant in an archaeological context was identified in the burial of a Neanderthal and dated to around 40 thousand years ago. On the other hand, this presence corresponds to pollens which would be deposited there by the wind, contrary to the discovery made in the Pigeons cave in Taforalt where “charred fruits of this plant were found and would therefore be the oldest medicinal use of these plants”, specifies the press release.
“This does not rule out the possibility of their use in rites linked to burials but this discovery confirms that the human groups in the Pigeon Cave in Taforalt had precise knowledge of the different uses of plants 15 thousand years ago, i.e. approximately 8 thousand years before the Neolithic period”, we note.
This discovery was made by several researchers including Abdeljalil Bouzouggar, director of INSAP and responsible for archaeological excavations in the Pigeon Cave in Taforalt, Ismail Ziani, INSAP laureate and doctoral student at the University of Las Palmas in Spain, Louise Humphrey, researcher at the Natural History Museum in London, Nicholas Barton, professor at the University of Oxford, Jacob Morales, professor at the University of Las Palmas and Hassan Talbi, professor at Mohammed 1st University in Oujda.
The research carried out in the Pigeons Cave in Taforalt is carried out as part of a cooperation program between INSAP (Morocco), the Mohammed 1st University (Morocco), the University of Oxford (United Kingdom) and the Natural History Museum (United Kingdom) and also counts among its members doctoral students and researchers from INSAP, the Max Planck Institute (department of archaeogenetics) in Germany and the Center for Archaeological Research in Monrepos in Germany.
How does the discovery of surgical practices in the Stone Age enhance our understanding of early human medicine?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Archaeology Expert Dr. Elena Martinez
Time.news Editor: Good day, Dr. Martinez! Thank you for joining us today. We’ve just learned about some fascinating discoveries in Taforalt cave. Can you provide our readers with an overview of what was found and why it’s significant?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Absolutely, thank you for having me! The recent findings in Taforalt cave, dated to be around 15,000 years old, have revealed evidence of the plant Ephedra. This discovery is significant because its presence in a burial context suggests that ancient human groups had not only a deep understanding of their environment but also utilized this plant specifically for medicinal purposes.
Editor: That’s truly remarkable! The article mentioned that this plant might have been used for halting hemorrhages and pain relief. Can you elaborate on the medicinal properties of Ephedra and how these early humans might have applied them?
Dr. Martinez: Certainly! Ephedra is known for its alkaloids, which can act as stimulants and have pain-relief properties. In ancient times, it likely played a role in treating various ailments. The fact that it was found in a burial area implies a ritualistic aspect too—perhaps the plant was incorporated into funerary practices to aid the deceased in their afterlife or was believed to provide comfort to the living in their mourning process.
Editor: Fascinating! The discovery also pointed to surgical practices such as trepanation in that period. How does this align with our understanding of Stone Age medicine?
Dr. Martinez: It underscores quite a sophisticated understanding of medicine for that time. The trepanation skull found in the Pigeon Cave suggests that early humans performed complex surgical procedures, likely to relieve pressure from head injuries or to alleviate ailments. Pairing this with the use of a medicinal plant showcases the blend of practical and spiritual approaches to health among early humans.
Editor: This is truly intriguing. How does this discovery compare to other archaeological findings, particularly regarding the use of plants in ancient burials?
Dr. Martinez: This finding adds a layer of complexity to our understanding of funerary rites. Previous discoveries noted the presence of Ephedra pollen in Neanderthal burials, but these were wind-deposited and not necessarily intentional. The current context indicates that Ephedra was purposefully included by prehistoric peoples, suggesting it held a significant cultural value. This provides insights not only into the scientific knowledge of ancient times but also into their beliefs and practices surrounding death.
Editor: So, it seems that our understanding of early human communities is continually evolving with these discoveries. What future research do you think this paves the way for?
Dr. Martinez: Oh, there’s so much potential! Future studies could focus on identifying other plants and substances used in burial contexts, analyzing their roles both medically and spiritually. We could also look into advancements in ancient surgical practices. This helps us not only learn about the past but can even inform aspects of modern medicine and anthropology.
Editor: That’s a perfect note to end on, Dr. Martinez. Thank you for sharing your insights with us today! It’s always a pleasure to learn about how ancient peoples navigated their world.
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for having me! The past holds many lessons, and I look forward to sharing more discoveries with your readers in the future.