The San people of southern Africa hunt with poison arrows, and this practice may have truly ancient origins
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Recent discoveries have shed light on the ancient use of poison arrows by hunters in South Africa. Traces of plant toxins have been found on 60,000-year-old arrow tips, indicating that the practice of using poisons dates back much further than previously thought.
Traditionally, evidence for the use of poison arrows was limited to around 8000 years ago. However, a groundbreaking analysis in 2020 revealed arrow points dating back 50,000 to 80,000 years that showed similarities to poisoned arrow tips used in more recent times.
Lead by Marlize Lombard from the University of Johannesburg, a team of researchers found a 60,000-year-old bone point coated in a sticky liquid, hinting at the presence of poison. Further investigations on five quartzite arrowheads from Umhlatuzana rock shelter in South Africa confirmed traces of toxic plant alkaloids buphandrine and epibuphanisine, likely from the Boophone disticha plant.
According to Lombard, the discovery of poison residues on multiple artifacts suggests a deliberate application of poison 60,000 years ago. This toxic substance, still used by the San people in modern times, is lethal to rodents and can cause severe symptoms in humans.
The Boophone poison, believed to have been discovered through accidental ingestion, has various properties including preservative, antibacterial, and hallucinatory effects. Its historical use in hunting reflects the early utilization of plant biochemical properties by ancient humans.
Additional validation of the findings came from testing arrows collected by Carl Peter Thunberg in the 1770s, which also contained alkaloids from the Boophone disticha plant. Sven Isaksson from Stockholm University highlights the significance of this discovery in showcasing the sophisticated use of plants for purposes beyond food and tools.
The study adds a new dimension to our understanding of ancient human practices and underscores the long-standing relationship between humans and plants for various purposes.
Topics:
- archaeology/
- ancient humans
