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Archaeologists have uncovered remarkable insights into prehistoric life through the analysis of a 10,500-year-old piece of birch tar. This ancient substance, derived from birch bark by heating it in low-oxygen conditions, was a versatile material in the Stone Age. It served primarily as a strong adhesive for crafting tools, such as attaching stone blades to wooden handles, and for repairing pottery. However, ancient people also chewed it, likely to soften the tar and make it more pliable for use, or possibly for medicinal reasons, as birch tar contains compounds related to aspirin, which could have eased toothaches, or for its antiseptic properties.
The truly astonishing aspect of these finds is the preservation of human DNA within the chewed tar, offering a direct glimpse into the lives of individuals from millennia ago. In the case of the Estonian discovery, scientists were able to extract genetic material from traces of saliva left by a Stone Age teenager. This ancient DNA revealed that the individual likely had brown hair and brown eyes, challenging some assumptions about early Northern European populations. Beyond physical traits, the DNA also provides a "molecular snapshot" of their diet, including what they had recently eaten, and even offers clues about their oral microbiome and health, such as the presence of gum disease or specific bacteria.
These prehistoric "chewing gums" are invaluable to archaeology because they preserve human genetic information in periods and places where skeletal remains are scarce or poorly preserved. Similar discoveries in other parts of Scandinavia, like Sweden and Denmark, have further illuminated the diets of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, their health conditions, and even migration patterns, demonstrating the widespread practice of chewing birch tar. This seemingly simple habit provides a rich, intimate connection to our ancient ancestors, allowing us to understand their daily lives, health, and environment with unprecedented detail.