6,000-year-old chewing gum mystery solved

The 30 birch pitch samples examined in the study were collected from lakeside settlements dating back 6,300 years. Twelve of these samples had been directly chewed, and most contained human DNA and oral microbiota. Some residues also contained DNA from flaxseed and poppy seeds. However, it remains unclear whether poppy seeds were consumed for food or for their narcotic effects.

THEY DID NOT JUST USE IT AS GUM

Researchers have revealed that this pitch was used not only as a gum but also as an adhesive. Neolithic people used this material to attach handles to stone tools and repair broken pottery. Interestingly, DNA extracted from bitumen used in these processes provides clues about which genders performed which tasks.

The bitumen found on stone tools contained mostly male DNA, while those used in pottery repair contained mostly female DNA. This suggests a gendered division of labor in working with bitumen. The research suggests that chewing may be important for softening the bitumen and making it workable. However, when chewed bitumen mixes with saliva, it loses its adhesive properties and doesn't regain its function until reheated.

Birch pitch is known as the oldest known synthetic material in history. It is also thought to have been chewed for health reasons due to its antimicrobial properties. Today, such archaeological finds offer unique opportunities for understanding the social structure of society, as human remains from that period are extremely rare.