A recent find in Finland, uncovered a primitive type of chewing gum complete with Neolithic tooth prints. The gum is composed of Birch Bark Tar which
contains a type of natural Antiseptic compound. It is proposed that ancient man chewed the gum whenever they had problems with their teeth and gums.
"Sarah Pickin, 23, found the lump of birch bark tar — complete with neolithic tooth prints — on a dig in Finland. Ms Pickin's tutor at the
University of Derby, Professor Trevor Brown, said birch bark tar contained phenols, which are antiseptic compounds. 'It is generally believed that
neolithic people found that by chewing this stuff if they had gum infections it helped to treat the condition. It's particularly significant because
well-defined tooth imprints were found on the gum which Sarah discovered,' he said. Ms Pickin was on a volunteer program at the Kierikki Centre on
the west coast of Finland when she made the find."
-From Slashdot
Kierikki Archaeological Exhibition
Some of you may have tried natural Spruce gum, which can often be found oozing from wounds in a Spruce tree. While it may take getting used to for
some folks, it is tasty and mixing in a little honey will sweeten the deal.
Natural gums have been known for centuries and this new find only adds to our knowledge of our ancestors lives.
