Forest Gum

Was It A Wrigley's Product?

A five-thousand-year-old piece of chewing gum has been discovered by an English archaeology student. Sarah Pickin, 23, from Derby University, found the lump of birch bark tar on a dig in western Finland. Neolithic people used the material as an antiseptic to treat gum infections, as well as a glue for repairing pots. Ms Pickin's tutor, Professor Trevor Brown, said: "It's particularly significant because well defined tooth imprints were found on the gum. Birch bark tar contains phenols, which are antiseptic compounds."

FOOTNOTE: Neolithic Man's ``bark'' was worse than his bite.