A piece of stone age “gum” chewed by a teenage girl 10,500 years ago has been discovered by archaeologists in Estonia. The prehistoric birch tar had impressions of teeth marks and traces of saliva. Genetics experts from the Institute of History and Archaeology at the University of Tartu extracted DNA from the saliva and concluded it was probably chewed by a girl with brown hair and brown eyes.
The institute holds DNA samples from 20 percent of Estonia’s population, providing scientists with a modern genetic comparison to better interpret ancient DNA. Experts now know that ancient Estonians chewed tar – burnt or heated silver-birch bark – for things like relieving toothaches or used as glue. Birch tar is still used as an adhesive in Estonia today for sealing breaks in pots and tools.
