Neanderthal Birch Tar May Have Doubled as Ancient Antibiotic
For decades, the sticky black tar that Neanderthals cooked out of birch bark has been filed away in the archaeological literature as prehistoric glue. A new round of laboratory experiments suggests that label is far too narrow. Researchers in Germany, Britain, Belgium and Canada made birch tar using methods reconstructed from Middle Palaeolithic sites, then tested it against bacteria, and every sample inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, the organism behind many infected wounds. The work, published in PLOS One, was led by Tjaark Siemssen of the University of Cologne and the University of Oxford.
A Glue That Did Much More Than Stick
Birch tar is found at Neanderthal sites across Europe, often still clinging to stone tools. It was made by heating birch bark under low-oxygen conditions, a process called dry distillation, and used to bind flint points to wooden shafts, a technique known as hafting. Ancient Origins has previously reported on the discovery of a 65,000-year-old Neanderthal tar distillation oven in Gibraltar, a purpose-built hearth for extracting tar from resin-rich plants.
But the picture has been widening. Traces of chamomile and yarrow in Neanderthal dental calculus, and the careful planning revealed by stone tools carried across the landscape, point to people who knew and used medicinal plants. Indigenous communities in northern Europe and Canada still use birch tar on wounds, which prompted Siemssen’s team to ask whether the same material had a second life in the Ice Age.
www.Ancient-Origins.net – Reconstructing the story of humanity’s past
Source: https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/neanderthal-birch-tar-antibiotic-00103250
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,834,718,849 |
| Stories: | 8,719,534 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
