Some Europeans chewing for stimulation.ġ662: Abraham Cowley writes a poem titled ‘A legend of Coca’. This tax was given to the Church and helped support its growth in South America.ġ600s: Coca first brought to Western culture. Roughly 8% of Europeans living in Peru are involved in the coca trade.ġ577: The Church withdrew there petition to ban coca some years earlier when a 10% tax was levied on its purchase. Mid 1500’s: Forced labourers working in Spanish silver mines are kept well supplied with coca leaves. The estimated population of the Incan empire 14,000,000.ġ505: The first reports of coca use reach Europe.Įarly 1500’s: First commercial production of coca by Europeans as holders of Spanish land grants are allowed to make their tax payments in coca leaves.ġ548: Silver miners were getting through over half a million kilograms of coca per year.ġ552: Because of inaccurate reports on coca the Catholic Church decide that they want to ban the use of the leaf (probably one of the first anti-drug campaigns). Chewed coca used on wounds as an anaesthetic.ġ492: Columbus strikes land which he mistakes for China and begins a process which will swiftly bring about the fall of the Incan civilisation. Cocada: The time it takes to use a wad of coca leaves and the distance covered in that time (approximately 45 minutes).ġ400: Coca plantations are operated by the Incas in Peru. Coca is very important to the Inca’s and is incorporated into almost every aspect of daily life including their measurement of distance and time. The civilisation eventually rises to incorporate 75% of the Pacific coast of South America. Also some evidence to suggest that it was used in Egypt at the same time.ġ000 AD: Incan civilisation begins.
Also used in embalming and trepanning (as a local anaesthetic). It is thought to be a gift from the Gods. Siegel depicts the use of coca leaf in an event that took place around this period.ģ000 BC: Coca chewing is practiced throughout South America to help with working at high altitude and to stave off hunger. 5000 BC: Fragment of pottery found by archaeologist Ronald K.