Cannabis Protected India’s Famous Ellora Caves From Decay For 1,500 Years
Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - Indian archaeologists have discovered that hemp – a mix of hemp with clay and lime plaster – has prevented the famous ancient Ellora caves from degrading over the 1,500 years they have been in existence.
"The use of hemp helped the caves and most of the paintings remain intact at the 6th century Unesco World Heritage site," according to a new study conducted by archaeologist Rajdeo Singh (ASI) and botanist MM Desai at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Maharashtra, India.
Ellora. Credit: Pratheepps - CC BY-SA 2.5
Using two techniques such as Fourier transform, infra-red spectroscopy and stereo-microscopic studies, researchers were able to conclude that hemp, commonly known as ganja or bhang, had helped in preventing insect activity at Ellora.
The study indicates that many valuable properties of hemp were known to Indians in the 6th century.
Gigantic Kailasa Temple Emerging From A Mountainside: Engineering Marvel Of India’s Master Builders
Ajanta Caves: Incredible Accomplishment Of India’s Ancient Stonecutters
"Hemp was extensively used in Ellora as well as by the Yadavas, who built the Deogiri (Daulatabad) fort in the 12th century. Hemp was not used in the Ajanta caves, which are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist structures dating back to the 2nd century BC. Rampant insect activity has damaged at least 25% of the paintings at Ajanta," Singh told TOI.
The archaeologist, who has been engaged in the chemical treatment and conservation of ancient paintings at Ajanta for about 11 years, said the outcome of the study was "a discovery in itself".
"Studies conducted in Europe suggested that buildings constructed with the use of cannabis sativa could last for 600 to 800 years. Ellora has proved that only 10% of cannabis mixed with clay or lime in the plaster could last for over 1,500 years," he said.
Part of the Carpenter's cave (Buddhist Cave 10). Credit: Y.Shishido - CC BY-SA 3.0
However, there is a problem because the use of cannabis cultivation, transport, possession and consumption of marijuana is banned under Indian law.
Experts say that the existing Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act will have to be amended before hemp can be used on a large scale for construction. For now, “anybody found with the substance will face action."
The study is published in the March 10 issue of the journal Current Science.
Written by - Conny Waters - AncientPages.com
More From Ancient Pages
-
Mysterious Handprint And Cry For Justice From Beyond The Grave
Featured Stories | Jan 2, 2020
-
Ancient Mesopotamian Discovery Changes Our Understanding Of Early Agriculture Practices
Archaeology | Jan 17, 2022
-
Four Rare And Incredibly Well-Preserved 1,900-Year-Old Roman Swords Found In Judean Desert
Archaeology | Sep 6, 2023
-
Unknown Biological Entities And Disturbing Weather Phenomenon In Washington Still Baffle Scientists
Featured Stories | Jul 23, 2019
-
Ancient City Of Gordium, Gordian Knot And Skeleton In Tumulus Of King Midas
Civilizations | Sep 20, 2018
-
Dorset Culture: Mysterious Rock Carvings Of Qajartalik – Faces Of Unknown Beings
Civilizations | Sep 3, 2018
-
Cimmerians – Ancient People Searching For A Home
Civilizations | Feb 11, 2019
-
Middle Iron Age And Roman Period Buildings And Relics Discovered In Bedfordshire, UK
Archaeology | Feb 27, 2022
-
Ancient Secrets Of The Black Basalt Statue Of Priest Djedhor Revealed
Artifacts | Feb 26, 2021
-
Shining Ones, Archimedes Death Ray And Mystery Of Vitrified Forts In Scotland
Ancient Technology | May 13, 2015
-
Strange Ancient Mechanical Flying Animals – Mystery Of The Air Castle – Part 2
Featured Stories | Mar 31, 2020
-
Baroque-Period Marble Skull Analyzed With Standard Forensic Anthropological Techniques
Archaeology | Feb 16, 2022
-
Black Granite Statue Of King Amenhotep III Accidentally Recovered
Archaeology | Jan 1, 2016
-
Broken Pebbles In Arene Candide Cave Shed New Light On Ancient Burial Practices
Archaeology | Mar 7, 2017
-
Ragnarok In Norse Mythology – The Doom Of The Gods And Apocalyptic Record Of The Coming Comet
Featured Stories | Jun 30, 2014
-
What Can Medieval Skeletons Tell Us About Modern Day Pandemics
Archaeology | Feb 25, 2022
-
What Did A Day In Pharaoh’ s Life Look Like?
Ancient History Facts | Dec 9, 2019
-
Unique Codex Cospi: Pre-Columbian Manuscript Will Soon Reveal Some Of Its Secrets
News | Oct 29, 2020
-
Five Magnificent Engraved Ancient Tombs Discovered Near King Merenre Pyramid In Saqqara, Egypt
Archaeology | Mar 19, 2022
-
Perforated Shells Were Used By Humans 120,000 Years Ago
Archaeology | Jul 10, 2020