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10,500-Year-Old Chewed Birch Tar Reveals Ancient Teen's DNA

11/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Archaeologists from the Institute of History and Archaeology at the University of Tartu found Stone Age birch tar chewed by a teenage girl about 10,500 years ago.
The tar shows teeth marks and saliva traces.
DNA analysis suggests the girl likely had brown hair and brown eyes.
Historian Bettany Hughes calls the find significant as a link to the past.
The discovery is featured in her documentary series.

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Story summary

Archaeologists from the Institute of History and Archaeology at the University of Tartu found Stone Age birch tar chewed by a teenage girl about 10,500 years ago.
The tar shows teeth marks and saliva traces.
DNA analysis suggests the girl likely had brown hair and brown eyes.
Historian Bettany Hughes calls the find significant as a link to the past.
The discovery is featured in her documentary series.