Branko van Oppen de Ruiter discovered a second century B.C. cup depicting the god Bes, which contained traces of hallucinogenic plants, indicating Egyptian rituals.
The findings enhance our understanding of ancient cultures, indicating that Egyptians were aware of hallucinogens and possibly used them in fertility rites, akin to Mediterranean traditions.
Dr. van Oppen highlighted Bes as a multifaceted figure in Egyptian mythology, characterized as a fertility deity and a reveler, which is reflected in the artifacts.
The presence of identical cups across various museums suggests their widespread use in ancient rituals, indicating the importance of these items in societal practices.
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