Before the Bong: A Journey Through Cannabis History

Cannabis has a history that stretches back thousands of years, and some of its most fascinating chapters are still being uncovered. Long before modern dispensaries, familiar strains, or even the bong, ancient civilizations were finding practical, cultural, and ceremonial uses for the plant.

With Halloween upon us, we thought it would be a good time to explore some of the more mysterious discoveries in cannabis history. From ancient burial grounds to rituals involving smoke and fire, the real stories behind cannabis are every bit as intriguing as the legends.

Cannabis Has Been Around Longer Than You Think

Cannabis has been part of human civilization for thousands of years, with evidence of its cultivation and use across different regions and cultures.

And its earliest uses weren’t necessarily about getting high. The plant was valued for its versatility, providing seeds for food and strong fibers that could be made into rope, textiles, and other everyday materials.

In fact, hemp became an important agricultural resource long before cannabis developed its modern cultural associations. As researchers continue studying its history, they’re discovering just how deeply the plant was woven into everyday life.

Learn more about the history and uses of hemp from the USDA.

Ancient Cannabis Rituals: Smoke, Fire, and the Afterlife

Here’s where cannabis history takes a particularly intriguing turn.

In western China, archaeologists discovered wooden braziers at an ancient cemetery dating to approximately 500 BCE. When researchers examined the remains inside these vessels, they found chemical evidence that cannabis had been burned during burial ceremonies.

The discovery suggests that cannabis smoke may have played a role in religious or funerary rituals more than 2,500 years ago. It’s among the earliest scientifically verified evidence of cannabis being smoked for ceremonial purposes.

While researchers can’t say exactly what participants believed or experienced during these ceremonies, the findings reveal that cannabis held significance extending well beyond its practical uses.

Explore the original archaeological research.

What Did the Ancient Scythians Do With Cannabis?

Archaeological evidence isn’t our only window into ancient cannabis traditions. Around 2,500 years ago, the Greek historian Herodotus described a ritual practiced by the Scythians, nomadic peoples who lived across parts of Central Asia.

According to his account, participants entered an enclosed space and threw hemp seeds onto heated stones, producing smoke or vapor that filled the enclosure. Herodotus described the practice as part of a cleansing ceremony.

It’s a fascinating historical account, although scholars can’t verify every detail of what Herodotus witnessed or heard about. Still, when considered alongside archaeological discoveries, his writings suggest that cannabis had an established place in certain ancient cultural and ceremonial traditions.

Read more about the historical and archaeological evidence.

The Mystery of the Cannabis Burial Shroud

Imagine opening an ancient burial site and discovering cannabis plants carefully arranged across a human body.

That’s essentially what researchers found in northwestern China, where 13 remarkably preserved cannabis plants had been placed over the remains of a man buried approximately 2,400 to 2,800 years ago.

The plants appeared to have been arranged in a manner resembling a burial shroud, suggesting they may have carried ceremonial or symbolic significance. But what did they represent? Were they connected to spiritual beliefs, the person’s social standing, or another tradition entirely? Researchers still don’t know.

It’s one of the more unusual discoveries in cannabis archaeology and a reminder that, even thousands of years later, there are parts of the plant’s history we’re only beginning to understand.

Explore the discovery in National Geographic.

Who Invented the First Bong?

For a plant with such a long history, you might expect historians to know when people first began using water pipes to consume cannabis. Surprisingly, the answer remains unclear.

Water pipes have appeared in different forms across cultures, and researchers haven’t established a universally accepted date or location for the invention of the first modern-style bong.

Even the word bong has an interesting history. It’s commonly traced to the Thai word baung, which refers to a cylindrical tube or pipe traditionally made from bamboo.

Although archaeologists have discovered ancient cannabis-burning devices, connecting those early practices directly to the water pipes familiar today is more complicated.

So, who invented the first bong? For now, that’s one cannabis mystery without a definitive answer.

Cannabis History Is Still Being Written

From ancient textiles and agricultural uses to ceremonial smoke and mysterious burial traditions, cannabis has played many different roles throughout human history.

And while we’ve learned a great deal about the plant’s past, archaeological discoveries continue to raise new questions about how people cultivated, valued, and used it.

That’s what makes cannabis history so interesting. Every discovery adds another piece to a story that began thousands of years before modern cannabis culture.

This Halloween, there’s no need to invent a spooky story about cannabis. Its actual history offers plenty of surprises.

Want to learn more about cannabis, its different varieties, or the products available today? Visit your local Budr Cannabis dispensary and talk with our knowledgeable Budtenders. We’re always happy to answer questions, share information, and help you discover something new.