The evidence suggests that in 17th-century Europe, individuals were already chewing coca leaves, indicating a recreational or reinforcing use of the plant long before the 19th century.
This study provides the first evidence of coca plant use in Europe prior to the 19th century, effectively backdating our understanding by almost two centuries.
Despite common associations with its modern use, the coca plant exhibited significance in 17th-century Europe that is distinct from its later fame as a source for cocaine.
The preserved brains of buried individuals contained active components of coca, suggesting personal, non-medicinal consumption of the leaves for purposes beyond treatment.
[
Collection
]
[
|
...
]