The ancient practice, while damaging in its own ways, did not involve the lime that appears to be a significant co-carcinogen in the modern quid.

Whether returning to simpler forms of use could reduce some of the cancer risk while maintaining some of the cultural and social functions of the practice is a question for public health researchers, not archaeologists.

But the historical baseline provided by the Sulawesi findings gives that research a new context.

What Was The Initial Reason?

The study is honest about one thing it cannot answer: why did the Sulawesi foragers start using betel nut in the first place?

The evidence documents sustained, habitual use.