Birch Tar: Neanderthals’ Primitive Antibiotic Found on Tools
New research suggests Neanderthals produced birch tar (a process dating back to about 200,000 years ago) and used it as a primitive antiseptic, with lab tests showing the tar killed Staphylococcus aureus while largely sparing E. coli. Dental plaque analyses also indicate Neanderthals sought out medicinal plants like chamomile and yarrow, implying a sophisticated medical culture and care for wounds that could inform modern therapeutics as antibiotic resistance grows.
