The discovery of traces of nicotine and cocaine within 3,000-year-old human remains, which came to be known as Egypt’s cocaine mummies, raised curious questions amongst historians. Challenging existing historical narratives and prompting inquiries about potential transoceanic contact in antiquity, these controversial findings disrupted conventional narratives and prompted scholars to reconsider the scope of cultural exchanges in antiquity.
An examination in the 1970s of the mummy of Ramesses II revealed fragments of tobacco leaves in its abdomen. (CC BY SA 3.0)
What Makes Traces of Nicotine and Cocaine in Egyptian Mummies Peculiar?
Today, many people believe that Christopher Columbus was not the first non-American to set foot in the New World. Current research has argued that the VikingsChinese, Greeks and Italians may have all been his predecessors. Some experts have even posited that ancient Egyptians were in the Americas as far back as 1,000 BC. How they’ve reached this conclusion is rather surprising.
In 1992, esteemed forensic toxicologist Dr. Svetla Balabanova announced a startling discovery. While examining the mummy of a member of the ancient Egyptian elite, she found traces of hashish, nicotine and cocainenot only on the hair of Henut Taui but also on other mummies under analysis. The question soon arose: How did Lady Henut Taui have access to substances derived from the tobacco and coca plants as far back as 3,000 years ago?
To understand the conundrum, it’s important to remember that nicotine originates from tobacco leaves, while cocaine originates from coca leavesboth of which are native to the Americas. In fact, up until now the predominant belief was that 3,000 years ago these plants were only grown in the Americas and were not exported across the Atlantic Ocean until the 19th century.
The confusion which resulted from her research led academics to question the mummy’s authenticity or if the tests had been contaminated. One study published in the journal Antiquity suggested that the answer to these bizarre results could lie in the post-excavation histories of the so-called cocaine mummies. Meanwhile, Balabanova’s results have continued to be used as proof by some theorists that ancient Egyptians reached the Americas millennia before Columbus.
Egyptian tomb painting from 1450 BC. Caption: “Officer with sounding pole…is telling crew to come ahead slow. Engineers with cat-o’-nine-tails assuring proper response from engines.” (Public domain)
The Seafaring Abilities of the Ancient Egyptians
Archaeological findings show that Egyptians were adept at navigating the seas. Notably, Queen Hatshepsut is known to have funded an expedition to the enigmatic Land of Punt circa 1477 BC, exemplifying their seafaring prowess. A relief portraying this journey discovered at Deir el-Bahrisituated in modern-day Luxor, further illuminates their maritime ventures.
The mural at Deir el-Bahri depicts large ships packed with men, gold, trees and exotic animals. The flora and fauna visible in the artwork is thought to have existed along the coasts of African and the Arabian Peninsula. These findings suggest that the ancient Egyptians could indeed complete longer oceanic voyages.
The discovery of an ancient harbor in 2013 during excavations at Wadi al-Jarf on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, furthered the belief in the seafaring capacity of the ancient Egyptians. Timber, rigging, reed mats, steering oars, cedar planks and limestone anchors were all unearthed within this ancient harbor complex, making it one of the oldest harbor structures found to date. Some even argued that the harbor may have been used for Hatshepsut’s voyage to the Land of Punt.
Members of Hatshepsut’s trading expedition to the mysterious ‘Land of Punt’ from this pharaoh’s elegant mortuary temple at Deir El-Bahri. (CC BY 2.0)
Exploring Transoceanic Links: Ancient Egyptians in the Americas?
The question of whether ancient Egyptians reached the Americas remains a subject of debate among scholars. While there is no conclusive evidence supporting direct contact between ancient Egypt and the Americas, which could explain the enigma of the cocaine mummiessome researchers point to intriguing clues that suggest the possibility.
Possible evidence of an unproven Egyptian voyage to the Americas in the Marble Region of the Grand Canyon was reported in April 1909 in The Arizona Gazettefueling speculation about ancient transoceanic voyages which could have aided in the trade of nicotine and cocaine.
The article stated that two explorers, funded by the Smithsonian, found various Egyptian artifacts within caves, including tablets with hieroglyphics; “Explorations in Grand Canyon; Mysteries of Immense Rich Cavern Being Brought to Light; Jordan Is Enthused; Remarkable Find Indicates Ancient People Migrated from Orient.”
The only problem is that the Smithsonian has no known record of what would have been a ground-breaking discovery. The Arizona Gazette was also the only newspaper to have published the story, making it a probable example of fake news.
Such a discovery would have offered compelling evidence in support of the theory that ancient Egyptians reached the Americas. However, it might have posed a challenge to the traditional narrative celebrated each year on Columbus Day, which commemorates the “discovery” of the Americas by Christopher Columbus.
Top image: An artist’s imaginary depiction of a pharaoh burning herbs in a ritual. Source: Fair use
