17th Century Milan: Evidence of Coca Plant Use 200 Years Earlier Than Believed

Analysis of brains from 17th-century Milan shows that people were using the coca plant, Erythroxylum spp., much earlier than previously thought. The coca plant is native to South America and has a long history of both medicinal and recreational use. Spanish conquistadors found it in the 15th century, but it wasn’t documented in Europe until the early 19th century when it was synthesized into cocaine.

Researchers from the University of Milan studied the remains in the Ca’ Granda crypt, a burial site for patients of the Ospedale Maggiore, a hospital for the poor in Milan. They analyzed brain tissues from nine individuals buried in the early 1600s. The analysis identified cocaine, benzoylecgonine, and hygrine in two of the individuals. This evidence suggests that these individuals consumed coca leaves by chewing or brewing them as tea.

This study shifts the timeline of coca’s presence in Europe back by about 200 years. In the early 17th century, Milan was under Spanish control and had access to trade routes from the Americas, making the transport of coca leaves feasible. Although the hospital’s pharmacy didn’t record cocaine until the 19th century, these individuals may have used it for treatment or recreationally to cope with their difficult lives.

How does Dr. Romano’s study challenge previous understanding of coca consumption in Europe?

Interview with Dr. Elena Romano, Lead Researcher at the University of Milan

NewsDirectory3: Dr. Romano, thank you for joining us today. Your recent study has unveiled some fascinating insights into the use of coca in 17th-century Milan. Can you tell us about the significance of this find?

Dr. Romano: Thank you for having me. The significance of our study lies in the fact that it pushes back the timeline of coca use in Europe by approximately 200 years. Previous records suggested that the coca plant was not present in Europe until the early 19th century, but our analysis of brain tissues from individuals buried in the Ca’ Granda crypt shows its consumption much earlier.

NewsDirectory3: How did you conduct the analysis, and what specifically did you find in the brain tissues?

Dr. Romano: We utilized advanced pharmacological techniques to analyze the remains of nine individuals buried in the early 1600s. In two of these samples, we identified the presence of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, and hygrine. This evidence indicates that these individuals likely consumed coca leaves, possibly through chewing or brewing them as tea.

NewsDirectory3: What does this suggest about the societal conditions in Milan during that time, particularly regarding Spanish control and trade?

Dr. Romano: Milan was under Spanish control in the early 17th century, which facilitated access to trade routes from the Americas. This environment likely allowed for the transport of coca leaves. The findings lead us to believe that individuals in this era may have used coca not only for medicinal purposes but also recreationally, to cope with the hardships of their lives in a hospital setting.

NewsDirectory3: Were there other references to coca or its derivatives in Milan at that time that could provide further context to your findings?

Dr. Romano: Interestingly, our research did not discover any pharmacological records of cocaine in the hospital’s pharmacy until the 19th century. However, this does not negate the likelihood that coca was being used informally by patients and possibly prescribed in a different context. Our findings suggest a clandestine or unrecorded use that can reflect the social dynamics and needs of the populace.

NewsDirectory3: How do you think this research will influence future studies on the coca plant and its history?

Dr. Romano: We hope this research prompts a reevaluation of historical use of the coca plant in Europe and encourages scientists to investigate other burial sites or collections from this time period. It opens up a dialogue about the broader implications of colonial trade on herbal medicine and recreational practices in Europe, illustrating how cultures adapt and adopt new substances.

NewsDirectory3: Thank you, Dr. Romano, for sharing your insights. This research certainly paves the way for new understandings of coca’s historical presence in Europe.

Dr. Romano: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss our work.

The research was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science.