In ancient conflicts, courage and resilience were essential qualities for warriors venturing onto the battlefield. However, a recent study has uncovered evidence suggesting that these attributes did not always rely solely on physical strength or emotional fortitude. Recent research published in the journal Praehistorische Zeitschrift suggests that Northern European barbarian warriors during the Roman period may have used stimulants to enhance their performance in combat.
At various archaeological sites in Scandinavia, Germany, and Poland, researchers have discovered small spoon-shaped objects attached to belts, dating back to the Roman period. These objects, featuring handles between 40 and 70 mm in length and cavities just 10 to 20 mm in diameter, lacked any practical purpose for the belt but were found alongside other war-related artifacts.
According to the study led by archaeologist Andrzej Kokowski and a team of biologists from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland, these small spoons might have been used to measure precise doses of stimulant substances before battle.
The discovery challenges the widespread belief that barbarian populations, unlike Greco-Roman civilizations, did not extensively use narcotic or psychotropic substances beyond alcohol consumption. Ancient sources document the widespread use of opium and other compounds in Greece and Rome, but until now, there had been no archaeological evidence suggesting similar practices among Germanic and Scandinavian peoples.
The study examines the plants and substances that may have been available to Germanic communities of the period. Among the identified options are opium, hops, hemp, henbane, belladonna, and various mushrooms with hallucinogenic or stimulant properties. These substances could have been administered dissolved in alcohol or in powder form, making their consumption in a military context more practical.
The use of these small spoons would have allowed warriors to control their doses, minimizing the risk of severe intoxication or adverse effects. Furthermore, the study suggests that access to these substances required not only natural resources but also advanced knowledge of their harvesting, preparation, and administration.
Although the study primarily focuses on the military context, the researchers suggest that the use of stimulants might have extended to other aspects of barbarian life.
These substances could have played a significant role in religious ceremonies, medical practices, and even rituals fostering social cohesion. Such multifaceted use would reflect a sophisticated understanding of the properties of natural compounds and a conscious intention to utilize them for communal benefit.
Kokowski and his team’s research raises broader questions about how ancient cultures managed available resources to address the challenges of their time. Stimulants may not only have instilled courage in combatants but also helped mitigate the stress and fear inherent in wartime conflicts.
Additionally, the study points to a significant level of organization and knowledge within these communities, necessary to ensure a steady supply of such substances. This provides insight into the social and economic structures of barbarian peoples, who have traditionally been perceived as less advanced than Roman civilizations.
SOURCES
Jarosz-Wilkołazka, Anna, Kokowski, Andrzej and Rysiak, Anna. In a narcotic trance, or stimulants in Germanic communities of the Roman period. Praehistorische Zeitschrift, 2024. doi.org/10.1515/pz-2024-2017
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