What was found in Estonia dating back 10,500 years?

Archaeologists found a piece of prehistoric birch tar "gum" with teeth marks and saliva, from which DNA was extracted.

What did the DNA from the Stone Age "gum" reveal?

The DNA analysis indicated the gum was chewed by a teenage girl with brown hair and brown eyes.

What is the significance of the Estonian birch tar discovery?

It offers a rare genetic link to an ancient individual and challenges assumptions about the appearance of northern Europeans.

Home / Science / 10,500-Year-Old "Gum" Reveals Teen's DNA

10,500-Year-Old "Gum" Reveals Teen's DNA

24 Nov

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Summary

Prehistoric birch tar "gum" with teeth marks was discovered.
Saliva DNA analysis identified a teenage girl with brown hair/eyes.
The 10,500-year-old find challenges assumptions about ancient Europeans.

10,500-Year-Old "Gum" Reveals Teen's DNA

An extraordinary archaeological find in Estonia has uncovered a piece of "gum" synthesized from birch bark, dating back 10,500 years. This prehistoric substance bears distinct teeth marks and traces of saliva, providing a unique glimpse into the lives of Stone Age people. The analysis of DNA extracted from the saliva has led researchers to believe the gum was chewed by a teenage girl.

The genetic profile indicates she had brown hair and brown eyes, a detail that importantly challenges common assumptions that ancient northern Europeans exclusively possessed fair hair and blue eyes. This discovery, facilitated by extensive DNA databases from Estonia's population, offers a deeply personal and remarkable connection to an individual from the distant past.

Birch tar was utilized by ancient peoples not only for chewing, potentially for dental relief, but also as a potent adhesive for repairing tools and pottery. This find underscores how seemingly simple, discarded items can unlock profound insights into ancient practices and the individuals who lived millennia ago.