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A worker packs cannabis at the growing facility of the Tikun Olam company on March 7, 2011 near the northern city of Safed, Israel.

Ancient Cannabis 'Burial Shroud' Unearthed in China

Oct 05, 2016 09:00 AM EDT

Archaeologists have unearthed an "extraordinary cache" of cannabis buried at the Jiaya cemetery in China's Turpan Basin, saying that the recent discovery could considerably shed light on how ancient Eurasian cultures used cannabis. "This unique discovery provides new insight into the ritualistic use of Cannabis in prehistoric Central Eurasia," the archaeologists wrote in a paper published in the journal Economic Botany. The cannabis plants were found in a burial of an approximately 35-year-old adult man with Caucasian features, who had been placed on a wooden bed with a reed pillow beneath his head, Hongen Jiang and his colleagues wrote. Then, interestingly, at least 13 preserved cannabis plants, each up to about three feet long, were laid diagonally across his chest, and all are reportedly in excellent conditions, the National Geographic reported. The remains suggest that the man was buried between 2,400 and 2,800 years ago, based on the radiocarbon dating. During that time, the Turpan Basin is the home of the Gushi Kingdom, while the Turpan desert oasis was deemed an important stop on the Silk Road, according to ZME Science. Researchers believe that the man belonged to a group who used cannabis for health and ritual purposes. While researchers could not determine if the cannabis plant parts found in Turpan before were grown locally or obtained through trading from other regions, the recent discovery in the Jiayi burial implicate that the cannabis had been fresh and could have been possibly harvested for the burial. Furthermore, while the flowering heads of the 13 female plants have been removed, the few that were left were nearly ripe and had immature fruit. This could suggest that the plants were planted locally and gathered the same time the burial occurred. This is the first instance whole marijuana plants were uncovered and the first incidence of their use as a "shroud" or covering in a human burial. Archaeologists before have found about two pounds of cannabis seeds and powdered leaves in other Turpan graves.

The skeletons excavated at the site in Lant Street, Southwark.

'Phenomenal' Discovery of Possible Chinese Skeletons Could Rewrite Roman History

Charissa Echavez |

Sep 28, 2016 11:27 AM EDT

Museum of London researchers unearthed two ancient skeletons of Asian ancestry buried at a Roman cemetery in London, giving new insights into the links between the Roman Empire and Imperial China.

Ancient people know how to wear makeups too

Study Reveals What Ancient People Used to Make Cosmetics

Charissa Echavez |

Jan 29, 2016 12:28 PM EST

Even ancient people wore makeup. If you thought that cosmetics are a product of modern fashion, it could come as a surprise to you that ancient civilizations were already wearing makeups.

BBC features China's history and modern life in a documentary series entitled

BBC Features China's History in "The Story Of China" Documentary Series

Charissa Echavez |

Jan 23, 2016 07:30 AM EST

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has started televising "The Story of China," - a new documentary series about the country's 4,000 years of history.

British Open Results & Update: Jordan Spieth Fails To Make History At The Open

Ish Caparras |

Jul 21, 2015 10:08 AM EDT

Spieth lost his chance at being only the second man to win the first three majors in the same year.

Sling TV Arrives on Xbox One With History, Lifetime Channels

David Curry |

Mar 18, 2015 05:08 AM EDT

Sling TV will feature three new channels: History, History 2 and Lifetime.

German-made Sword of Ivan the Terrible Discovered in Russia

Marco Foronda |

Nov 25, 2014 02:26 AM EST

The sword is considered the only weapon of its kind ever found in Siberia.

Bout on History Curriculum Censorship in Denver High Schools Coming to an End

Erika Villanueva |

Oct 02, 2014 07:14 AM EDT

A controversial censorship on how U.S. history should be taught in high schools in Colorado is about to end as students and teachers are expected to make their stand in a school board meeting.

Jay Z Makes it Rain at 'Made in America' with US$2 Bills, Read the Reason Why

Kat De Guzman |

Sep 01, 2014 07:39 AM EDT

Rapper Jay Z watched as the crowd went gaga over the stack of US$2 bills during the Steve Aoki show at 'Made in America' music festival over the weekend. The crowd has been showered with cakes and champagne and they thought the money was just for show. However, there is a reason behind the iconic US$2 bills.