Ozetta
Dutch news, in your languageThursday, 24 September 2026No. 16,961

International

Researchers find 25,000-year-old evidence of drug use in Indonesia

NU.nl10 September · 20:031 week ago

Scientists in Indonesia may have discovered the oldest evidence of drug use. Traces on the teeth of two skeletons indicate chewing of betel nuts, a practice still common in the region. The findings suggest that betel nut consumption dates back at least 25,000 years. The research was conducted by examining dental remains, and the results provide new insights into ancient human behavior in Indonesia. The study highlights the long-standing cultural significance of betel nut chewing in Southeast Asia.

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