Psychedelic Philistines

DUDE! Sex, drugs and Philistines: A biblical psychedelic scene. Breakthrough ‘sensory archaeology’ research reveals a 3,000-year-old ritual culture of mind-altering substances in Israel (Daniel Bernstein Times of Israel).

The now-lackluster central Israeli town of Yavneh was apparently once the center of a thriving drug scene, according to Israeli researchers.

Cutting-edge technology has allowed archaeologists to find traces of hallucinogenic materials, used over 3,000 years ago by the biblical Philistine people for spiritual rituals, Haaretz reported Thursday.

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So far there has been little to no evidence for the use of psychoactive drugs in the religion of ancient Israel. But new technology like this may be changing the picture.