10,000-Year-Old Chewing Gum on Stone Age Teenager’s Diets

Unwrapping the Past

image shows ancient resin next to two casts of gum showing clear teeth marks left behind by a teen almost 10,000 years ago. photo by Verner Alexandersen/Stockhölm University

The discovery of ancient artifacts often unveils a treasure trove of insights into bygone eras. In a recent archaeological revelation, scientists have delved into the dietary habits and lifestyles of Stone Age teenagers through an unlikely source — chewing gum.

Dating back almost 10,000 years, these resilient remnants offer a fascinating glimpse into the culinary choices and health conditions of our ancient ancestors.

Unearthing Clues

The archaeological site of Huseby Klev in Sweden yielded a remarkable find — approximately 100 pieces of black gummy resin, adorned with distinct tooth marks, providing a tangible link to the past.

Through meticulous analysis of three such specimens, researchers embarked on a journey to reconstruct the lives of a cohort of teenage hunter-gatherers who roamed the Scandinavian west coast millennia ago.

A Culinary Expedition

Picture this scene from antiquity: circa 9,700 years ago, a group of intrepid teenagers, having ventured through the wilderness in pursuit of sustenance, gather around a campfire. Their meal, meticulously curated from the bounties of nature, comprises hazelnuts, trout, fox, duck, and deer.