Nicotine use in early mediaeval Kirchheim/Teck, Germany

Nicotine use in early mediaeval Kirchheim/Teck, Germany

Human bone samples of 123 Alemans of the 5th to 7th c AD were investigated for nicotine. In 23 individuals nicotine was found at levels between 31 and 150 ng/g, and in 49 others nicotine was found in traces. The results indicate that in Germany plants of the genus Nicotiana should have been present,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Homo Vol. 52; no. 1; p. 72
Main Authors: Balabanova, S, Rösing, F W, Bühler, G, Hauser, S, Rosenthal, J
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Germany 2001
Subjects:
Bone and Bones - chemistry
Female
Germany
History, Medieval
Humans
Male
Nicotiana
Nicotine - analysis
Nicotine - history
Nicotine - pharmacokinetics
Germany
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Summary:Human bone samples of 123 Alemans of the 5th to 7th c AD were investigated for nicotine. In 23 individuals nicotine was found at levels between 31 and 150 ng/g, and in 49 others nicotine was found in traces. The results indicate that in Germany plants of the genus Nicotiana should have been present, known and used, well before Columbus. The purposes behind this use might have been domestic/medical or ritual, or possibly even as a luxury as occurs today.
ISSN:0018-442X
DOI:10.1078/0018-442X-00021