Study Reveals Neanderthals Used Birch Tar for Antibacterial Medicine
A recent study suggests that Neanderthals may have used birch tar, a sticky substance derived from birch bark, as both a glue and an antibacterial medicine, predating modern medical practices by approximately 200,000 years. Researchers from the University of Cologne, Oxford University, and Cape Breton University recreated birch tar using methods possibly employed by Neanderthals. The study found that birch tar exhibits antibacterial properties, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium associated with wound infections. This discovery highlights the potential of ancient medicinal practices in addressing antibiotic-resistant infections, which are a significant concern in modern healthcare. 
