Ancient Cannabis Burial Shroud Discovered

September 20, 2019

In 2016, archaeologists unearthed well-preserved cannabis plants, which were placed on a corpse approximately 2,500 years ago. This was the first discovery of its kind, found in Turpan, China. Within the burial site, cannabis plants were arranged across the body of a middle-aged man.

Cannabis plants have been found in other Turpan burials, most notably in nearby Yanghai cemetery where close to two pounds of cannabis seeds and powdered leaves were discovered. Archaeologists believe this multipurpose plant was used for it’s psychoactive properties as well as it’s durable hemp fibers which could have been woven into cloth.