Abstract
The ability to adhere or glue two objects together is fundamental in the creation of composite tools. A number of different adhesives have been discovered across the European Mesolithic, mostly derived from plants. Of these, the dominant compound is birch tar. Evidence suggests that tar and resin were pbeing used to haft microliths for arrowheads and slotted points, for sealing and repairing ceramics,
and likely as an oral medicine. A number of pieces of birch tar have been discovered with teeth marks,
several of which have preserved the DNA of the individuals who chewed on them. Despite this, there are many questions which remain unanswered, particularly around how and to what scale tar was distilled, why were certain adhesives favoured over others, how do adhesives fit into our wider understandings of Mesolithic lifeways, and to what extent did the transformative and sensory aspects of adhesives factor into Mesolithic belief systems?
and likely as an oral medicine. A number of pieces of birch tar have been discovered with teeth marks,
several of which have preserved the DNA of the individuals who chewed on them. Despite this, there are many questions which remain unanswered, particularly around how and to what scale tar was distilled, why were certain adhesives favoured over others, how do adhesives fit into our wider understandings of Mesolithic lifeways, and to what extent did the transformative and sensory aspects of adhesives factor into Mesolithic belief systems?
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Oxford Handbook of Mesolithic Europe |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (OUP) |
| Pages | 855-870 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780198853657 |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2025 |