Did You Know? The practice of poisoning weapons dates back tens of thousands of years, showcasing early human ingenuity in both hunting adn warfare.
Throughout history, the use of poison arrows and darts has been a widespread tactic employed by diverse cultures globally for both procuring food and engaging in conflict. Historical records from ancient greece and Rome detail recipes for weaponizing poisons, and these practices are even alluded to in classical Greek mythology, notably within Homer’s epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey. similarly, warriors from China, the Gauls, the Scythians, and various Native American tribes all utilized poisoned projectiles.
Unearthing the Deep Roots of Poisoned Weaponry
Recent archaeological discoveries have dramatically shifted our understanding of this ancient practice. Researchers have identified plant-based toxins on 60,000-year-old quartz arrowheads unearthed in South Africa, representing the oldest direct evidence of poison application to projectiles. This finding, published in the journal Science Advances, suggests that the cognitive complexity required for such a hunting strategy emerged far earlier than previously believed, pushing the timeline for poisoned weaponry back to the Pleistocene epoch.
Sources of Ancient Poisons
The poisons utilized historically stemmed from both plant and animal sources. Animals like frogs, beetles, and venomous lizards provided potent toxins, while plants offered a diverse range of poisonous compounds. Consider these examples: curare, a well-known muscle relaxant that induces paralysis and asphyxiation; oleander, milkweeds, and inee, containing cardiac glycosides that disrupt heart function; and the sap of the ancar tree, prevalent in Southeast Asia, which causes paralysis, convulsions, and ultimately, cardiac arrest due to its strychnine content. Even aconite species were employed as arrow poisons in regions like siberia and northern Japan.
A Timeline of discovery
Until recently, the earliest confirmed evidence of poisoned arrows dated back to the mid-Holocene period.As a notable example, scientists discovered traces of toxic glycosides on 4,000-year-old bone-tipped arrows recovered from an Egyptian tomb. Further evidence emerged from South Africa’s Kruger Cave, where 6,700-year-old bone arrowheads also exhibited traces of these toxins.Prior to these findings, the only indication of Pleistocene-era poison use was a poison applicator
discovered at Border cave in south Africa, alongside a lump of beeswax.
The South African Discovery: Boophone disticha
A recent study focused on ten quartz-backed arrowheads recovered from the Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Analysis revealed that five of these arrowheads contained compounds derived from Boophone disticha, commonly known as gifbol or the poisonous onion. This plant, widespread throughout South Africa, has traditionally been used for both its analgesic properties – thanks to a volatile oil called eugenol – and its potent toxicity. The plant’s more dangerous compounds, including buphandrine, crinamidine, and buphanine, can induce hallucinations, coma, and even death, with buphanine exhibiting effects similar to scopolamine.
Pro Tip: Understanding the historical use of plant-based toxins can inform modern pharmacological research,perhaps leading to the discovery of new medicinal compounds.
I’ve found that examining these ancient practices provides valuable insights into the resourcefulness and adaptability of early humans. the deliberate selection and
