A groundbreaking study has unveiled new insights into ancient therapeutic practices in Arabia, revealing that native plants, specifically Peganum harmala (commonly known as harmal), were used for their bioactive and psychoactive properties as early as 2,700 years ago. Conducted by Barbara Huber from the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology and Marta Luciani from the University of Vienna, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture, the research focused on organic residues found on smoking utensils excavated from the Iron Age dwellings of the Qurayyah Oasis in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Chemical Evidence of Ancient Harmal Use
The study provides the first chemical evidence of harmal burning, not only in Arabia but globally, marking a significant milestone in understanding ancient botanical practices. “Our findings provide the first chemical evidence for the earliest known burning of harmal, not only in Arabia but worldwide,” said Barbara Huber, co-lead author of the study. “Scientifically, this is an important step, as we can now better understand how these communities combined their medicinal knowledge with the local flora—whether for health care, cleaning and disinfecting spaces, or possibly also for its psychoactive effects.”
The researchers employed high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC MS/MS), a sophisticated analytical technique that allowed them to detect characteristic alkaloids of rue, even in minute and chemically degraded samples. This method confirmed the presence of harmal in the residues left on the smoking utensils, which were unearthed from a site renowned for its intricately decorated ceramic vessels.
A Window into Ancient Botanical Practices
By combining biomolecular analyses with traditional archaeological methods, the team was able to identify not only the types of plants used but also the purposes, methods, and contexts of their use. “This allows us a unique insight into botanical practices that were central to life at that time, but are rarely preserved archaeologically,” explained Marta Luciani, excavation director in Qurayyah and archaeologist at the University of Vienna. The findings highlight the sophisticated knowledge of local flora among ancient communities and their applications in medicine, fumigation, and possibly psychoactive rituals.
Peganum harmala is known for its antibacterial, therapeutic, and psychoactive properties and remains a staple in traditional medicine and household fumigation practices in the region today. The discovery underscores the plant’s enduring cultural and medicinal significance, connecting ancient practices to modern traditions.
Preserving Cultural Heritage
The study’s implications extend beyond archaeology, contributing to fields such as ethnobotany, medical anthropology, cultural heritage studies, and pharmacognosy. These disciplines explore the long-standing relationships between people, medicinal plants, and natural resources. “The finds also demonstrate the deep historical roots of traditional medicine and smoking practices in Arabia,” said Ahmed M Abualhassan, co-director of the Heritage Commission in the Qurayyah Project. “Through this collaborative research, we are not only preserving the archaeological artifacts but also contributing to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage—that is, knowledge passed down through generations that is still alive in local communities today.”
A Multidisciplinary Milestone
The research at Qurayyah Oasis offers a rare glimpse into the interplay between ancient communities and their environment, revealing how they harnessed the properties of native plants like harmal for diverse purposes. By integrating cutting-edge scientific techniques with archaeological expertise, this study not only enriches our understanding of early therapeutic practices but also highlights the enduring legacy of Arabia’s botanical heritage.