In a late Roman family burial tomb at Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem, archaeologists found the remains of a girl of about fourteen who appears to have died during childbirth roughly 1,700 years ago.

Near her abdomen, researchers recovered carbonised material later analysed as containing evidence consistent with cannabis. The interpretation is cautious but powerful: the plant may have been burned and inhaled as part of an attempt to ease labour pain.

For LIBERA HERBA, this trace must be handled with care.

It is not proof of an “ancient epidural”.
It is something quieter, and perhaps more moving.

A young mother in danger.
A difficult birth.
A plant placed close to the body.
A community trying to help with the knowledge it had.

Cannabis appears here not as rebellion, not as intoxication, not as symbol. It appears beside pain.
And beside one of the oldest human emergencies: birth.

Factual Note

A 1993 Nature correspondence by Zias et al., later referenced by Russo et al., reported cannabinoid residues from burned cannabis in a 4th-century CE burial context at Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem.

The find was associated with the remains of a girl of about fourteen who died during childbirth, and was interpreted cautiously as possible inhalation to ease labour pain.

Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem
Late Roman period
4th century CE / c. 1,700 years ago century CE

Burial context of a young female, about fourteen years old, who appears to have died in the final stages of pregnancy or childbirth. Associated finds reportedly included burned plant material and cannabinoid residues, interpreted as possible evidence of cannabis being burned and inhaled in an attempt to ease labour.

The plant beside childbirth

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