Archaeology Genetics News

"Revealing Stone Age Diets and Dental Health Through Chewing Gum Analysis"

DNA analysis of chewed resin from Stone Age hunter-gatherers in Scandinavia reveals their diet, health, and cultural practices. The resin contained human DNA, providing some of the oldest human genomes from Scandinavia, as well as DNA from bacteria, fungi, red deer, brown trout, hazelnuts, and foxes. The analysis suggests that one of the teenagers had severe gum disease (periodontitis) and provides insights into the oral microbiome and potential diseases of the ancient group. This research sheds light on the lifestyle and health of ancient Scandinavians during the Mesolithic period.