No one knows exactly when peyote was revealed. Had to be somewhere in it's natural range, and archeological samples date back to 5600 B.C. There are many accounts of how peyote was discovered. The Huichol Indians have an interesting tradition regarding the Sacred Blue Deer and the involvement of the sacred wolves in teaching people the many uses of the medicine. Other accounts involve people in deathly distress and the peyote spirit revived them. There are several decent, respectful books regarding the subject. I am a non-Indian who has gone to peyote meetings for 43 years thanks to Indian family and friends. I'm 60 years and wuill always sit with the medicine. Good question.