Chewing tar in the early Holocene: an archaeological and ethnographic evaluation

In an editorial in 1897, the British Medical Journal (ii: 1112) reported on increase in the ‘disgusting habit’of chewing gum, prepared from rubber or plant resin flavoured with aniseed or peppermint. However, the use of masticants is a much more widespread and long-term behaviour with possible health implications for humans. Here, samples of Mesolithic date from Scandinavia are identified and discussed.