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Stone Age man took drugs, say scientists - Telegraph

Stone Age man took drugs, say scientists - Telegraph: “Scientists believe that the drug being used was cohoba, a hallucinogen made from the beans of a mimosa species. Drugs such as cannabis were not found in the Caribbean then.

Opiates can be obtained from species such as poppies, while fungi, which was widespread, may also have been used.

Archeologists have suggested that humans were extracting mind-expanding drugs from mescal beans and peyote cacti as far back as 5,000 years ago, but have not found direct evidence that this is true.

They consider that drugs were being used to induce spiritual or trance-like states by people who had religious beliefs.”

(Via Telegraph.)

Stonehenge birthdate discovered by archaeologists

Stonehenge birthdate discovered by archaeologists - Telegraph: “Before the project it was believed the first stone circle dated from between 2600 BC and 2400 BC. The new testing has rounded this down to between 2400BC and 2200 BC - and a more precise date is expected by the end of the project.
‘We told the world we were going to date Stonehenge. That was a risk, but I was always confident,’ said Prof Darvill.
Experts said the new discovery was a major milestone in the history of Britain’s most famous monument.
Dr Simon Thurley, the chief executive of English Heritage - which maintains Stonehenge - described the dig as ‘tremendously exciting’.
He said: ‘The bluestones hold the key to understanding the purpose and meaning of Stonehenge.”

(Via The Telegraph.)

Israeli excavation shows Jews, pagans in harmony

Israeli excavation shows Jews, pagans in harmony: “JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli scientist says a Roman temple unearthed in the center of an ancient Jewish city in northern Israel shows pagans and Jews lived and worshipped together.
Hebrew University professor Zeev Weiss said Monday the 2nd century temple was found during excavations at Sepphoris, or Tzippori in Hebrew.”

(Via The Associated Press.)