Neanderthals may have used birch tar not only as an adhesive but also as a natural antiseptic. Modern Indigenous cultures, like the Mi’kmaq, have long used birch tar to treat skin infections. A recent study tested birch tar against S. aureus and found it slowed bacterial growth, especially from silver birch. The findings align with traditional knowledge and suggest Neanderthals may have discovered its medicinal properties through trial and error.
Birch tar’s antibacterial effects are likely due to phenolic compounds and terpenoids, which are common in plant-based antiseptics. While less potent than modern antibiotics, the discovery highlights the sophisticated understanding of materials and medicine by early humans.
