Neanderthal birch tar may have acted as an ancient wound-fighting antibiotic
Scientists recreated Neanderthal birch tar and found it stops the growth of harmful bacteria, suggesting the material could have been used to treat wounds.
A team from the University of Cologne, University of Oxford, University of Liège and Cape Breton University recreated birch tar by heating birch bark in low-oxygen pits and on hot surfaces, mimicking Neanderthal techniques. Laboratory tests showed that all tar samples suppressed the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of wound infections. These results suggest that Neanderthals could have recognized the antibacterial properties of the tar and used it to protect injuries, adding a medicinal dimension to its traditional role as an adhesive.
The researchers caution that laboratory efficacy does not prove historical medical use, but the discovery highlights the potential of ancient materials for modern antibiotic research. The study was published in PLOS One and adds to evidence of sophisticated Neanderthal behavior.
Why it matters
The discovery shows ancient humans may have used natural antibiotics, offering clues for new antimicrobial strategies today.
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