Datura

The Selva Pascuala mural, a work of post-Paleolithic rock art in Spain, contains fungoid figures herein hypothesized to depict neurotropic fungi, especially Psilocybe hispanica, a species that occurs in a neighboring region. This hypothesis is based on features of these figures related to fungal morphology, along with ethnographic analogy, and shamanistic explanations of rock art. If correct, this interpretation would support inference of prehistoric utilization of this fungus in the region. The mural represents the first direct evidence for possible ritual use of Psilocybe in prehistoric Europe.

Absorbed residue studies have been used in subsistence research for decades. Only more recently have the chemical methods employed been used to explore the consumption of ritual concoctions such as those including cacao, yaupon holly, and alcohol. In this article we use mass spectrometry to identify Datura residues in prehistoric contexts from western Mexico and the American Southeast. Datura is a genus of flowering plants that contain hallucinogenic alkaloids. Their use in both regions is known historically and still continues today. This study sampled 55 pottery vessels and 18 shell vessels using both a traditional burr method and a water-based sonicator sampling method. Datura residues were found in 13 pottery vessels and 14 shell vessels using both sampling approaches. These results demonstrate that it is possible to identify Datura residue in pottery and shell vessels and that the use of Datura extends back into prehistory in both regions. The form and decoration of pottery vessels with Datura residues show correlations with specific motifs and themes. Historically, shell vessels were used in the Southeast for the consumption of another ritual beverage, called the Black Drink. The presence of Datura shows that those vessels were used for other kinds of beverages as well.

Los estudios de residuos absorbidos han sido utilizado en la investigación de la subsistencia durante décadas. Sólo más recientemente se han utilizado los métodos químicos empleados en estos estudios para explorar el consumo de brebajes rituales tales como los que incluyen cacao, acebo de Yaupon, y alcohol. En este trabajo se utiliza la espectrometría de masas para identificar los residuos de Datura en contextos prehistóricos del oeste de México y el sureste de Estados Unidos. Datura es un género de plantas florecientes que contiene alcaloides alucinógenos. Su uso en ambas regiones es documentado históricamente y continúa en el presente. Para este estudio se analizaron muestras de 55 vasijas de cerámica y 18 vasijas de concha utilizando tanto el método tradicional de rebaba como el método de muestreo en baño de sonicación con agua. Residuos de Datura fueron encontrados en 13 vasijas de cerámica y 14 vasijas de concha utilizando los dos sistemas de muestreo. Estos resultados demuestran que es posible identificar los residuos de Datura en vasijas de cerámica y concha y que el uso de Datura se remonta a la prehistoria en ambas regiones. La forma y decoración de las vasijas de cerámica con restos de Datura muestran correlaciones con motivos y temas específicos. Históricamente, se utilizaron vasijas de concha en el Sureste para el consumo de otra bebida ritual, llamada la Bebida Negra. La presencia de Datura muestra que las vasijas se utilizaron también para otras bebidas.

While debates have raged over the relationship between trance and rock art, unambiguous evidence of the consumption of hallucinogens has not been reported from any rock art site in the world. A painting possibly representing the flowers of Datura on the ceiling of a Californian rock art site called Pinwheel Cave was discovered alongside fibrous quids in the same ceiling. Even though Native Californians are historically documented to have used Datura to enter trance states, little evidence exists to associate it with rock art. A multianalytical approach to the rock art, the quids, and the archaeological context of this site was undertaken. Liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry (LC-MS) results found hallucinogenic alkaloids scopolamine and atropine in the quids, while scanning electron microscope analysis confirms most to be Datura wrightii. Three-dimensional (3D) analyses of the quids indicate the quids were likely masticated and thus consumed in the cave under the paintings. Archaeological evidence and chronological dating shows the site was well utilized as a temporary residence for a range of activities from Late Prehistory through Colonial Periods. This indicates that Datura was ingested in the cave and that the rock painting represents the plant itself, serving to codify communal rituals involving this powerful entheogen. These results confirm the use of hallucinogens at a rock art site while calling into question previous assumptions concerning trance and rock art imagery.