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