Europeans Were Aware Of Cocaine Almost 200 Years Earlier Than Formerly Thought, Using This Stimulant As Early As The 17th Century, According To A Recent Study

Furthermore, the nature of the two individuals’ burials suggested that they were poor laborers, which meant coca leaves must have been plentiful, cheap, and easy to obtain.

Together, the facts point to the conclusion that the coca leaves were used recreationally. Coca leaves were possibly sought after for their stimulant properties, much like how tobacco and coffee were used during the same period.

Overall, the findings have pushed back the timeline of drug use history in Europe and offered a glimpse into the global trade networks between Europe and the Americas during the early modern period.

The study was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science.