They date back 8,000 years in South America
(NEWSER) - Peruvians chewed coca leaves more than 8,000 years ago, say researchers who've found the earliest evidence of usage of the plant, the BBC reports. Scientists knew that South Americans chewed the leaves but had previously dated the first use to 5,000 years ago. Coca, the plant from which cocaine is derived, has medicinal benefits in its natural form, and the new discovery shows the leaves were held in regard. More»
