Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.) in the Scottish Neolithic: A re-evaluation of palynological findings from Grooved Ware pottery at Balfarg riding school and Henge, Fife

Citation

Long DJ, Milburn P, Bunting MJ, Tipping R & Holden T (1999) Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.) in the Scottish Neolithic: A re-evaluation of palynological findings from Grooved Ware pottery at Balfarg riding school and Henge, Fife. Journal of Archaeological Science, 26 (1), pp. 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.1998.0308

Abstract
Re-analysis of the pollen and macrofossil content of residues adhering to sherds of Grooved Ware, excavated from the Balfarg/Balbirnie ceremonial complex (Barclay & Russell-White, 1993), was undertaken to assess the methodology and techniques in analyses on unconventional deposits of this type and also to examine evidence for the use ofHyoscyamus niger(black henbane) in the Neolithic, possibly as a narcotic. Henbane pollen and seeds within the residues had been identified in earlier studies (see Barclay & Russell-White, 1993) and these were related to possible "ritual" activities at the site (Richards, 1993). The re-analysis has highlighted problems with using organic residues from pottery fragments and was unable to find any evidence of henbane or any other poisonous plant in the sampled residues.

Keywords
grooved ware; pollen; macrofossils; Hyoscyamus niger (Black Henbane)

Journal
Journal of Archaeological Science: Volume 26, Issue 1