In a plot twist worthy of an ancient Egyptian soap opera, a 2,000-year-old mug recently unearthed at the Tampa Museum of Art has been revealed to contain the original “party mix” of psychedelics and mystical ingredients. This ancient mug, dating back to the second century B.C.E. during Egypt’s Ptolemaic period, features the image of Bes, the Egyptian deity known for protecting households and, apparently, throwing some wild ritual parties.
Researchers, expecting perhaps a bit of ancient ale residue, were flabbergasted to find psychedelic components like Peganum harmala and Egyptian lotus mingling with traces of alcohol, honey, and—brace yourself—possibly human blood and bodily fluids. Talk about a cocktail that packs a punch! These intriguing ingredients suggest that the mug was used for life and fertility rituals, adding a new dimension to “drinking for a cause.”
The study draws fascinating parallels with Greek incubation rituals, where imbibing these potent brews was all about inducing dreams for divine guidance. It’s like calling on the Oracle, but with a stronger beverage and a much more colorful bedtime story.
This groundbreaking research marks the first detailed scientific analysis of a Bes mug’s contents, giving historians and party planners alike new insights into ancient ritualistic shindigs. Researchers are now eagerly planning to examine other Bes mugs, hoping to uncover if this was the standard ancient Egyptian way to liven up a Saturday night. Cheers to that!
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