"Stone Age Chewing Gum Unveils Ancient Diet and Diseases"
Analysis of 9,500-year-old chewing gum found in Sweden revealed the diverse diet and poor oral hygiene of early humans in Scandinavia, as well as the presence of "notable" dental diseases. DNA analysis linked the gum to three teenage individuals who were likely camping, hunting, and fishing in the area, and showed the presence of oral pathogens such as Streptococcus. Traces of various plants and animals on the gum indicated a diet composed of both terrestrial and marine life, providing insight into the lives of ancient Scandinavian hunter-gatherers.