Milan, Italy – In a groundbreaking discovery, research conducted on preserved human brains from 17th century Milan has revealed the presence of cocaine. This finding challenges historical beliefs about the introduction of the drug in Europe, shedding light on the possibility that cocaine may have been used in the region centuries before previously thought.
The mummified brain matter was unearthed from the Ca’Granda crypt, a burial site located near a prominent hospital known for serving Milan’s impoverished and marginalized populations. Researchers from the University of Milan explored the remains found in the crypt to gain insights into the medical practices of that era. Their latest study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, involved conducting toxicology tests on brain tissue extracted from the skulls. Surprisingly, two out of nine samples tested positive for active components of Erythroxylum coca, the plant from which cocaine is derived.
The presence of cocaine in these 17th century Milanese remains challenges the conventional timeline for the introduction of the drug to Europe. While the coca plant is indigenous to South America, historical records suggest that coca samples were transported to Europe by the Spanish in the 15th century. Milan, under Spanish rule during the 1600s, had the potential to import plants from the New World, leading to the possibility of coca plants making their way to the region.
Furthermore, the researchers noted that the presence of hygrine, an alkaloid found in coca leaves, indicated that the plant was likely consumed in its raw form rather than processed into powder. This suggests that the individuals in Milan may have chewed on coca leaves to experience its effects, hinting at potential recreational use of the drug during that time.
The study findings do not conclusively suggest that cocaine was used for medical purposes in the hospital adjacent to the burial site. The lack of documentation linking the drug to any medical treatments led the researchers to speculate that the plant may have been used for its euphoric properties. This discovery offers a glimpse into the early stages of recreational drug use in Europe, long before cocaine became a billion-dollar industry with devastating consequences.
In addition to cocaine, the researchers also found traces of cannabis in femoral bones from the same site. The presence of multiple recreational drugs in 17th century Milan challenges traditional narratives about drug use in that era, painting a vivid picture of a society where such substances may have been more common than previously believed. The study opens up new avenues for understanding historical drug use practices and their societal implications.