Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a versatile plant with a rich history spanning thousands of years. Distinct from other cannabis varieties due to its low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it has been cultivated globally for its strong fibers, nutritious seeds, and various applications. Understanding the ancient origins and spread of this remarkable plant reveals its enduring impact on human civilization.
Cradle of Cultivation
The primary origin of hemp is Central Asia, with evidence pointing to Mongolia, Siberia, and the Altai Mountains. Genetic studies suggest its ancestor originated on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. This area served as the initial hub from which hemp cultivation and use began to spread across the globe.
Archaeological findings in China provide the earliest evidence, dating back 10,000 to 8,000 BCE. Pottery shards at Neolithic sites like Yuan-Shan and Xi’an Banpo bear imprints of hemp cords, indicating early use for fiber and textiles by cultures like the Yangshao. This deep historical connection in East Asia underscores its role as one of the first domesticated plants.
Further Chinese evidence from 4000 BCE confirms continuous cultivation of hemp as a fiber plant. Abundant archaeological data, including fibers and seeds, highlights China as the earliest region with sustained cultivation. This long history of interaction between humans and hemp in Central and East Asia laid the groundwork for its eventual global dissemination.
Journey Across Continents
From Central Asia, hemp spread across continents through trade routes, human migrations, and agricultural expansion. Its adaptability allowed it to thrive in diverse climates, aiding its global dissemination.
Hemp was present in India by 4000-3000 BCE, mentioned in ancient texts like the Atharvaveda as a sacred plant. It became deeply integrated into local cultures and traditional medicine by 2800 BCE.
In the Middle East, findings in Mesopotamia suggest fiber use around 8000 BCE, with cultivation by 2000 BCE. The Scythians carried hemp westward, introducing it to Europe around 1200 BCE.
By the Bronze Age (2700-1700 BCE), plant material and seeds indicate hemp’s presence in Europe. Cultivation expanded during the Roman Empire and Early Middle Ages, becoming widespread by 700 CE. European seafaring nations relied on hemp for naval supplies. It arrived in the Americas with colonists in the 16th and 17th centuries, notably Jamestown in 1609.
Early Human Utility
Ancient civilizations valued hemp for its diverse practical applications. Its robust fibers were instrumental for textiles, providing clothing, ropes, and paper.
Hemp cloth fragments dating back 10,000 years have been found in Iran and Iraq. Ancient Chinese societies extensively used hemp for garments before cotton. The strength of hemp fibers also made them ideal for cordage, essential for construction, hunting, and maritime activities.
Beyond fiber, hemp seeds served as a significant food source. Consumed raw, cooked, or pressed for oil, they offered a nutritious dietary staple rich in protein and fatty acids. Ancient Chinese texts listed hemp seeds among the “five grains.” Hemp oil also found use for lighting lamps.
Hemp also held medicinal and ceremonial significance. In China, Emperor Shen Nung (around 2700 BCE) described hemp seeds and oils as remedies for pain, inflammation, and digestive issues. Ayurvedic medicine in India utilized hemp to treat anxiety and digestive disorders. The Scythians used hemp in burial rituals, burning it for ceremonial smoke.