Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Here is the image:

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-only-surviving-image...

Also, the ethylene theorists have a rebuttal. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/155636507014778...

It’s funny that neither paper attempted to just try the stuff and, you know, attempt mantic divination.

And there is some evidence for those laurel leaves (which were chewed) to be psychoactive. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/581067/summary

And, finally, that the oracle used lots (dice, basically) for divination. More randomness. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/358831



Came here to say the same thing, it's either Laurel or Oleander leaves that Pythia (the high priestess) either chewed or inhaled (their fumes). At least that's what I remember from high school and what most Greeks know. It's debated that the whole Oracle of Delphi thing could be a very well organized scam, but that's another discussion.

It's a place worth the visit: https://www.visitgreece.gr/mainland/central-greece/delphi/


  Also, the ethylene theorists have a rebuttal. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/155636507014778 ...
This page 404’s - do you have another source?


GP included HN's ellipsis when copying the link from a previous comment of theirs.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/155636507014778...




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2026 batch! Applications are open till May 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: