Archaeologists have discovered the oldest evidence in the world that still has 2,700-year-old oasis settlements today, people burned Peganum Harmala, a psychoactive plant.
These findings are based on chemical analysis of residues inside ancient fumigation devices, suggesting that the practice has been documented in written records in the Iron Age community in Arabia deliberately used local plants for their therapeutic and mental properties over the centuries. The discovery of Qurayyah Oasis represents material evidence of the earliest radioactive buildings used for fumigation worldwide, providing unprecedented insights into the ancient Arab therapeutic tradition that persists in the region today.
Chemistry reveals ancient secrets
A research team led by Dr. Barbara Huber of the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology used high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to analyze organic residues retained in clay fumigation equipment. Complex techniques detect specific alkaloids (Harmine and Harmane), which naturally occur in Peganum Harmala.
“Our findings represent the earliest known chemical evidence for Harmal combustion, not only in Arabia, but globally.”
The plant is commonly known as Syrian rue or harmal, and produces compounds that act as reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), temporarily blocking the enzymes responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine. This biochemical effect contributes to the diverse effects of plants, from sedation to stimulation.
Family practice, not rituals
What makes this discovery particularly important is finding the place where the fumigation device is. Unlike other archaeological sites of drug plants that are usually associated with religious rituals or burial habits, all equipment in Qurayyah involving Hardal comes from residential areas, including Kuttald, cooking areas, cooking areas and cellars of ordinary houses.
This domestic background shows that the plant is used for practical purposes rather than elaborate rituals. The researchers identified a number of potential uses: due to its antibacterial properties, pest control in a warm oasis environment, and the treatment of a variety of diseases, including headaches, joint pain and other health conditions, resulting in air purification and disinfection.
Importantly, the study found that different substances were used under different circumstances within the same settlement. Although Harmal appears in residential fumigation installations, burial sites in nearby oasis contain different aromatic substances such as commisphora and conifer resins, indicating a clear distinction between home and ritual plant use.
Key research results:
- Evidence of the oldest Peganum Harmala fumigation in the world (2700 years ago)
- Discover only in domestic settings, not in rituals or burial sites
- Chemical analysis detects Harmine and Harmane alkaloids in ancient residues
- Harmal seed oil is recommended for concurrent appearance with plant sterols
- Different substances used for domestic and etiquette purposes
Powerful properties of plants
Peganum Harmala demonstrates what scientists call irritation – small doses can have beneficial effects, while larger doses can be harmful or even toxic. The plant’s alkaloids exhibit “a wide range of effects on the human body”, including antibacterial, antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory activities.
At therapeutic doses, these compounds can act as mild stimulants and mood stabilizers. At higher concentrations, they can produce hallucinations and euphoria. However, excessive consumption can lead to poisoning, and several modern Harmal-related toxicities have been documented.
Management approaches (intake rather than intake) will provide a controlled way of benefiting from the characteristics of the plant while avoiding the risk of overdose associated with diet or concentrated formulations consumed.
Living in a threat
The growth of archaeological discoveries has increased importance as similar plant-based practices in the region today continue. Of the approximately 2,250 identified plant species in Arabia, nearly 25% have been recorded in medicinal use, while Harmal remains a part of traditional Saudi medicine.
“This discovery shows the historical roots of Arab traditional rehabilitation and fumigation practices,” added Ahmed M. Abualhassan, co-director of the Heritage Committee of the Qurayyah Project. “We have preserved not only objects, but also the intangible cultural heritage of ancient knowledge that still has relevance in the local community today.”
However, this traditional knowledge faces modern threats. “This practice is getting lost more and more,” the researchers noted.
Scientific detective work
The study requires complex analytical techniques, because after nearly three thousand years, organic compounds have been preserved in trace quantities. The team used multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectra, “promoting monitoring of specific precursors and product ion pairs, thereby significantly increasing the specificity and sensitivity of the analysis.”
For Harmine, the technique detects specific molecular fragments: split under controlled energy conditions to produce precursor ions with distinct patterns that match the reference standard. Similar patterns confirm the existence of Harmane, providing a definite chemical fingerprint for ancient plants.
The analysis also showed that in some samples, high concentrations of phytosterols (such as campesterol and beta-pistearyl) showed that the specific plant part of the burning was burned.
Influence on ancient medicine
This discovery challenges assumptions about the complexity of ancient medical knowledge. Evidence suggests that Iron Age communities have a systematic understanding of local plants and their effects rather than random experiments.
“The integration of biomolecular analysis and archaeology allows us to determine not only which plant people are using, but also where, how and why.”
These findings also indicate potential applications in modern drug discovery. As the researchers noted, “Utilizing information stored in ancient organic remains can restore the bioactive compounds that have been forgotten over time, which may lead to the development of innovative phytotherapy.”
In addition to pharmacology, the study provides key literature that bridges cultural practices in ancient and modern Arabia, providing insights into how traditional knowledge systems develop and last for thousands of years of human experience.
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