In a surprising discovery that challenges traditional beliefs about drug use in Europe, scientists have found traces of cocaine in 17th-century brain tissue from a crypt in Milan, Italy. This finding sheds new light on the history of coca leaf consumption in Europe, suggesting that Europeans may have been using the stimulating plant much earlier than previously thought.
The study, which analyzed preserved human remains from the Ca’ Granda crypt, revealed the presence of active components of the coca plant in the brain tissues of individuals from the 17th century. This discovery indicates that cocaine use in Europe dates back almost two centuries earlier than previously documented. The fact that the plant was not listed in the hospital pharmacopeia suggests that it may have been used for non-medicinal purposes by the individuals buried in the crypt.
Historical records have long speculated about the use of coca leaves in Europe, with Spanish conquistadors encountering the plant in South America in the late 15th century. Indigenous populations in the region used coca leaves for their energy-enhancing and hunger-suppressing effects. Despite attempts to ban the practice, coca leaves made their way to Europe by the late 16th century. However, concrete evidence of European use of coca leaves was lacking until the recent discovery in Milan.
The remains found in the crypt suggest that the individuals buried there, likely of modest means, had access to coca leaves from the New World. This raises questions about the spread of coca across Europe during the 17th century and the influence it may have had on European society at the time.
### The Indigenous Roots of Coca
Cocaine plants, primarily from the genus Erythroxylum, are native to South America, where they have been cultivated and used for thousands of years. The most well-known species, Erythroxylum coca, is indigenous to the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains in countries like Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia. These plants have been integral to the cultural and social practices of Indigenous communities in the region for millennia, with evidence of coca leaf use dating back as far as 3000 BCE.
The leaves of the coca plant contain various alkaloids, with cocaine being the most potent among them. Indigenous peoples in South America, such as the Inca, recognized the stimulating and hunger-suppressing properties of coca leaves long before the arrival of Europeans. They incorporated the leaves into their daily lives and various ritualistic practices, often mixing them with lime or ashes to enhance the release of active compounds. The consumption of coca leaves was considered a sacred gift from the gods and provided energy and endurance, particularly in the high-altitude environments of the Andes.
### European Encounter with Coca
Spanish explorers who encountered coca leaves in South America brought the plant back to Europe, where it eventually found its way into the hands of Europeans. While historical accounts suggest that widespread cocaine use in Europe did not occur until the 19th century when it was synthesized into a more potent form, the recent discovery in Milan challenges this timeline.
The remains found in the crypt provide the earliest direct evidence of coca use in Europe, indicating that some individuals in the 17th century recognized and enjoyed the effects of cocaine plants. This raises questions about the extent of coca’s influence in Europe during this period and prompts historians to reconsider the timeline of its introduction to the continent.
Further investigation into the prevalence of coca use in other European cities during the 17th century is warranted. Did Milan represent a unique case, or was coca consumption more widespread than previously believed? Additionally, researchers may explore whether coca use extended beyond recreational purposes into medicinal contexts that are not yet fully understood.
As scientists continue to unravel the secrets hidden within these ancient remains, more insights may emerge about the unexpected encounter between Europe and the New World stimulant. The findings of this study were published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, shedding new light on the early history of coca use in Europe.