If similar wear patterns are present in other ancient specimens from Southeast Asia that have not yet been examined, those specimens might yield additional evidence of even older use.

This is the pattern of archaeological discovery: a new detection method or a new interpretive framework opens up evidence that was always there but unrecognized.

The Sulawesi study has established both a detection method (look for arecoline in dental tissue where there is unusual wear) and an interpretive framework (this specific wear pattern may indicate betel nut sucking) that could be applied to other specimens.

It is also worth noting that evidence of even older drug use might exist in forms that have nothing to do with betel nut.