Pot Luck

2500 Year Old 'Ice Princess' May Have Been Medicating With Cannabis, Source: http://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/features/iconic-2500-year-old-siberian-princess-died-from-breast-cancer-reveals-unique-mri-scan/Recent investigation into the 2500 year old mummified Ukok ‘Ice Princess’ (named after the permafrost plateau in the Altai Mountains where scientists found the remains), indicate that the 25 year old woman may have been medicating with cannabis.

Discovered back in 1993 on a frozen plateau in eastern Russia’s Altai Mountains, the Siberian woman’s remains were so well preserved that her intricate tattoos were still clearly visible. Over two millennia ago, water dripped into the woman’s tomb and solidified, leaving her remains preserved in a frozen block of ice. Although scientists were able to learn many details about her life, the cause of her death remained unknown – until recently that is.

2500 Year Old 'Ice Princess' May Have Been Medicating With Cannabis, Source: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/08/14/article-0-148AB792000005DC-698_964x479.jpg

One of the Ice Princess’ tattoos.

Scientists Andrey Letyagin and Andrey Savelov conducted MRI scans which revealed that since early childhood or adolescence, the ‘princess’ suffered from osteomyelitis, an infection and inflammation of the bone or bone marrow. They also discovered that towards the end of her life, she sustained injuries believed by scientists to indicate a fall from a horse.

“She obviously fell on her right side, hit the right temple, right shoulder and right hip. Her right hand was not hurt, because it was pressed to the body, probably by this time the hand was already inactive. Though she was alive after her fall, because edemas are seen, which developed due to injuries,” said scientist Dr Polosmak.

The MRI scans also revealed a very important finding. Scientists believe the woman had developed breast cancer, marking a unique case of the cancer diagnosis using latest technology in a woman mummified by ice. “Only cancer could have such an impact. It is clearly seen in the tumour in her right breast, visible is the metastatic lesion of the lymph node and spine… She had cancer and it was killing her,” said Dr Letyagin.

Likely experiencing much pain from her injuries and illnesses, the woman may have been using cannabis to ease the pain; archaeologists found a container of cannabis in the tomb near her body. Dr. Letyagin concluded, “I am quite sure of the diagnosis – she had cancer. She was extremely emaciated. Given her rather high rank in society and the information scientists obtained studying mummies of elite Pazyryks, I do not have any other explanation of her state. Only cancer could have such an impact.”

In a recent issue of Science First Hand, archaeologist Natalya Polosmak remarked, “It is likely that for this sick woman, the regular inhalation of cannabis smoke was a necessity.”