- Canonical shaped vessel used by the Scythians to smoke cannabis and opium
- The Scythians lived in what is now southern Siberia between 900 and 200 BC
- Cannabis and opium residue recently found on similar excavated vessels
- The gold objects being sold at Timeline Auctions, in Mayfair, London on May 28
A tiny 3,000 year old gold ritual vessel which ancient tribes used to ‘get high’ has emerged for sale for £45,000.
The canonical shaped vessel was used by the Scythians – who lived in what is now southern Siberia between 900 and 200 BC – to smoke cannabis and opium.
The Scythians were nomadic warriors who partook in human sacrifices, drank the blood of slain enemies and used female warriors.
A tiny 3,000 year old gold ritual vessel which ancient tribes used to ‘get high’ has emerged for sale for £45,000
The 3in vessel, which weighs just 4.4 ounces (125 grams), is being sold by Timeline Auctions, in Mayfair, London.
It has belonged to a European businessman since the 1990s, having previously been in a North American collection for four decades.
Its whereabouts before then is unknown.
Chris Wren, managing director at Timeline Auctions, said: ‘The Scythians were a nomadic people who covered a vast area – they were known by the Chinese who built the Great Wall to protect themselves against their raids.
The canonical shaped vessel was used by the Scythians – who lived in what is now southern Siberia between 900 and 200 BC – to smoke cannabis and opium
‘Gold vessels which have been recently excavated and also have holes to the base were found to have a black residue inside that, when tested, was discovered to be a mixture of cannabis and opium.
‘Academic opinion believes them to have been used for the ritual burning of incense or drugs.
‘This is a special object which shows that clearly, drugs are not just a modern problem!’
The Scythians were nomadic warriors who partook in human sacrifices, drank the blood of slain enemies and used female warriors
The sale took place on May 28.
Source: Dailymail.