Archaeologists have found compelling evidence of early medicinal plant use in Morocco's Taforalt Cave (Grotte des Pigeons), dating back approximately 15,000 years.

This important discovery, published in Nature journal and led by an international team, was coordinated by Morocco’s National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage Sciences (INSAP). Researchers found charred remains of the Ephedra plant, indicating that it was likely used for both medicinal and ritualistic purposes by the Iberomaurusian people of North Africa during the Late Stone Age.

Ephedra, a hardy non-flowering shrub found in arid regions, is known for its potent alkaloids, such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are used to relieve pain and treat respiratory issues. According to Dr Abdeljalil Bouzouggar, director of INSAP, the ancient inhabitants of Taforalt Cave specifically used Ephedra seeds, suggesting a sophisticated understanding of the plant’s medicinal properties.

The Iberomaurusians, a group of hunter-gatherers who inhabited Morocco around 15,000 years ago, are already recognized for their complex burial practices. Taforalt Cave, which contains some of the oldest known burials in North Africa, has yielded human remains alongside artifacts and plant remains, offering insight into their symbolic and practical use of natural resources. Notably, this discovery challenges previous assumptions about prehistoric medical knowledge, showing that early humans in North Africa not only gathered medicinal plants but may have used them in specific dosages or preparations.

The site is renowned for a ritual involving tooth extraction, likely conducted as a rite of passage for adolescents. Dr Bouzouggar said: “This procedure would have been painful and involved significant bleeding, leading the team to suggest that Ephedra was used to stop bleeding and soothe pain.”

This suggests a sophisticated understanding of herbal remedies, which likely helped these early communities endure painful procedures while also honoring important cultural traditions.

The charred remains of Ephedra, found in burial areas of the cave, also strongly indicate its role in funerary rituals - possibly as part of the mourning process or to prepare bodies for the afterlife.

Excavations conducted between 2005 and 2015 uncovered multiple burial layers, including those of young adults, infants and one notable individual who had undergone trepanation - an ancient form of cranial surgery. Remarkably, this individual’s skull showed signs of healing, suggesting that medicinal plants like Ephedra may have been used to support recovery.

INSAP’s team collaborated closely with researchers from Morocco, Britain and Spain. Their findings at Taforalt Cave contribute significantly to the global understanding of ancient human societies’ adaptability and their complex relationship with the natural world.