Archaeologists have uncovered compelling evidence of early medicinal plant use by prehistoric humans, dating back approximately 15,000 years, in Morocco’s Taforalt Cave (Grotte des Pigeons).

The site of Taforalt. Credit: Nicolas Perrault III/Wikimedia Commons

This significant find, published in Nature and led by an international team, was coordinated by Morocco’s National Insтιтute of Archaeology and Heritage Sciences (INSAP). Researchers found charred remains of the Ephedra plant, suggesting it was used for therapeutic and ritualistic purposes by the Iberomaurusian people of North Africa during the Late Stone Age.

Ephedra, a resilient non-flowering shrub common in arid regions, is known for its potent alkaloids, including ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are used to alleviate pain and respiratory issues. According to INSAP’s director, Dr. Abdeljalil Bouzouggar, the ancient inhabitants of Taforalt Cave specifically utilized Ephedra seeds, an indication of a nuanced understanding of the plant’s medicinal properties. “This procedure would have been painful and involved significant bleeding, leading the team to suggest that Ephedra was used to stop bleeding and soothe pain,” Bouzouggar explained in an interview with Morocco World News.

The Iberomaurusians, a group of hunter-gatherers who lived in Morocco around 15,000 years ago, are already known for their elaborate burial practices. Taforalt Cave is home to some of the oldest known burials in North Africa, where human remains were discovered alongside artifacts and plant remains, revealing their symbolic and practical use of natural resources. Excavations conducted between 2005 and 2015 revealed layers of burials, including those of young adults, infants, and one notable individual who had undergone trepanation—a form of cranial surgery. Remarkably, this individual’s skull showed signs of healing, suggesting that medicinal plants like Ephedra might have been applied to aid in recovery.

Drawing showing the location of in situ bones, stone, Ephedra cone bracts, and shell. The pH๏τo on the right side shows an archaeological Ephedra pair of cone bracts. Credit: Morales, J. et al., Sci Rep (2024)

The site is also famous for a ritual involving tooth extraction, likely performed as a rite of pᴀssage for adolescents. As Bouzouggar described, the pain and bleeding ᴀssociated with tooth avulsion might have been alleviated by Ephedra’s medicinal properties. This points to a complex understanding of herbal remedies that likely helped these early communities endure painful procedures and honor cultural customs.

Notably, the discovery challenges existing beliefs about prehistoric medical knowledge, demonstrating that early humans in North Africa not only gathered medicinal plants but may have applied them in specific dosages or forms. The charred remains of Ephedra, found in burial sections of the cave, strongly suggest its use in funerary rituals, potentially as part of the mourning process or to prepare bodies for the afterlife.

Frontal, lateral and cross-section views of archaeological and modern Ephedra cone bracts. Credit: Morales, J. et al., Sci Rep (2024)

INSAP’s team worked closely with Moroccan, British, and Spanish researchers. Their findings at Taforalt Cave add to the global understanding of ancient human societies’ adaptability and their relationship with the natural world.

More information: Morales, J., Carrión Marco, Y., Cooper, J.H. et al. (2024). Late pleistocene exploitation of Ephedra in a funerary context in Morocco. Sci Rep 14, 26443. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-77785-w