Nicotine use in early Mediaeval Kirchheim/Teck, Germany

Authors: Balabanova S.¹; Rösing F.W.²; Bühler G.¹; Hauser S.¹; Rosenthal J.¹

Source: Homo, Volume 52, Number 1, July 2001 , pp. 72-76(5)

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Abstract:

Human bone samples of 123 Alemans of the 5^th to 7^th c AD were investigated for nicotine. In 23 individuals nicotine was found at levels between 31 and 150 ng/g, and in 49 others nicotine was found in traces. The results indicate that in Germany plants of the genus Nicotiana should have been present, known and used, well before Columbus. The purposes behind this use might have been domestic/medical or ritual, or possibly even as a luxury as occurs today.

Language: English

Document Type: Original article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1078/0018-442X-00021

Affiliations: 1: Sektion Pharmakotherapie, Universität Ulm, Poststelle Michelsberg, 89070 Ulm 2: Institut für Humangenetik und Anthropologie, Universitätsklinikum, 89070 Ulm

Publication date: 2001-07-01