“The findings suggest that antimicrobial properties played a role as far back as the time of the early Neanderthals and could have been used in a targeted manner,” says Tjaark Siemssen. Researchers found that birch tar, a sticky substance used by Neanderthals for toolmaking, possesses antibacterial properties that could have functioned as a prehistoric medicine to treat wounds and fight infections.
Birch tar inhibits Staphylococcus aureus bacteria
A study conducted by the University of Cologne, the University of Oxford, the University of Liège, and Cape Breton University found that experimentally produced birch tar inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is a common cause of wound infections and is noted in modern medicine for strains that resist multiple antibiotics.
The research, published in PLOS One as “Antibacterial properties of experimentally produced birch tar and its medicinal affordances in the Pleistocene,” indicates that these antibacterial effects occurred regardless of the production method used. This suggests the medicinal potential of the material was a consistent property of the tar itself.
Did you know? Neanderthals used birch tar for “hafting,” the process of attaching stone blades or points to wooden handles to create more effective tools.
Prehistoric production methods recreated in lab
To test the material, researchers used tree species present during the Neanderthal era and avoided modern industrial processes. They employed two specific prehistoric techniques reconstructed from archaeological evidence.
The first method involved dry distillation, where birch bark was placed in a sealed underground pit and heated without oxygen to release tar. The second method involved burning birch bark near a stone surface, allowing tar vapors to condense into a sticky residue.
Medicinal use versus tool construction
Archaeologists have long found traces of birch tar at Neanderthal sites across Europe, typically attached to stone tools. While previously viewed primarily as an adhesive, Siemssen notes that evidence from traditional societies and growing data on Neanderthal plant use suggest a broader application.
The researchers state that while the experiments do not prove Neanderthals applied the tar to wounds, the material they were capable of producing had properties that made medical care possible.
Potential applications for antibiotic resistance
The discovery may offer insights into combating modern antibiotic resistance. Siemssen concludes that it may be worthwhile to examine targeted antibiotics from ethnographic or prehistoric contexts more deeply, as ancient materials may contain relevant compounds.
However, the researchers caution that laboratory inhibition of bacteria does not guarantee that birch tar would be safe or effective for human wound treatment without further evaluation.
Common Questions About Neanderthal Birch Tar
- How did Neanderthals make birch tar without modern tools?
- They used dry distillation by heating bark in sealed underground pits or by condensing vapors against cool stone surfaces during burning.
- What specific bacteria does birch tar fight?
- The study specifically found that the tar inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium often responsible for serious wound infections.
- Does this prove Neanderthals had a medical system?
- It demonstrates the material they produced had medicinal properties, which aligns with other evidence of Neanderthals using plants for medical care.
The research portrays Neanderthals as resourceful humans who exploited natural materials for multiple purposes, transforming a known prehistoric glue into a potential tool for survival and health.
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