The worlds oldest piece of chewing gum is over 9000 years old!
9,000-Year-Old Chewing Gum: Stone Age Dental Hygiene
Forget Wrigley's—the world's oldest piece of chewing gum predates pyramids, writing, and even agriculture. Discovered in Sweden, this 9,000-year-old wad of birch bark tar proves our ancestors had been smacking their jaws long before civilization got fancy.
This wasn't mint-flavored. It was sticky, bitter tree resin that Stone Age people heated and chewed, leaving behind tooth impressions that archaeologists now study like prehistoric dental records.
Why Did Stone Age People Chew Tree Tar?
This wasn't a snack—it was Stone Age superglue. Birch bark tar was used to attach stone tools to wooden handles, seal containers, and waterproof gear. But why chew it?
- Making it pliable: Cold tar is brittle. Chewing warmed and softened it for use.
- Dental care: The antiseptic properties may have helped fight tooth decay and gum infections.
- Medicinal purposes: Some researchers believe it was chewed to relieve toothaches or sore throats.
- Appetite suppression: In times of scarcity, chewing something might have dulled hunger.
Basically, it was a multi-tool you could chew.
What Teeth Marks Tell Us
The coolest part? The gum still has bite marks. By analyzing the impressions, scientists determined it was chewed by a teenager or young adult, possibly someone learning to make tools.
Some samples even contain traces of ancient DNA, revealing the chewer's gender, diet, and health. One 10,000-year-old piece from Denmark showed the person had eaten hazelnuts and duck—and possibly suffered from gum disease.
It's like a time capsule made of spit and resin.
The Recipe for Prehistoric Gum
Want to make your own? Here's how Stone Age people did it (don't try this at home):
- Collect birch bark
- Heat it in a low-oxygen environment (like burying it under hot coals)
- Let it ooze black, sticky tar
- Chew until soft and workable
It tasted terrible, smelled like a campfire, and turned your teeth black. But it worked.
Not the Only Ancient Gum
Other cultures had their own versions. Ancient Greeks chewed mastic gum from tree resin. Mayans gnawed on chicle, the sap from sapodilla trees (which later became the base for modern chewing gum). Native Americans chewed spruce resin.
Humans have been obsessed with chewing stuff for millennia. We just upgraded from tar to Trident.
So next time you pop a piece of gum, remember: you're participating in a 9,000-year-old tradition. Just without the tooth decay and birch bark aftertaste.