Roman-era Germanic warriors may have used stimulants to gain an edge on the battlefield, according to a new analysis of mysterious spoon-shaped implements found in ancient burial sites in Scandinavia, Germany, and Poland.
Archaeologists and biologists believe that these small, round-ended fittings could have been used to dispense drugs that helped warriors cope with stress and exertion. However, it remains unclear what specific substances were used.
The discovery of similar objects has sparked debate among historians, who previously assumed that only alcohol was commonly used by barbarian tribes. The team’s hypothesis is significant because it could reveal evidence of drug use outside the Roman Empire.
Researchers Anna Jarosz-Wilkołazka and Anna Rysiak, and archaeologist Andrzej Jan Kokowski analyzed 241 spoons from 116 localities, finding that they were often included among war-related items. This suggests that the utensils may have played a role in warrior armor or rituals.
Historical evidence of drug use exists, such as during World War I and II, when cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine were used by various forces. The researchers also investigated plant materials that could have been used as stimulants, including fungi, opium poppy, and nightshades.
While it is unclear which substances were used by the Germanic barbarians, their findings shed light on how our ancestors interacted with natural substances for medicinal and ritual purposes.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/roman-era-barbarians-carried-tiny-spoons-that-may-have-helped-in-battle