BBC NEWS | UK | Student dig unearths ancient gum Export

@unpublished{citeulike:1576988, abstract = {BBC NEWS Student dig unearths ancient gum A 5,000-year-old piece of chewing gum has been discovered by an archaeology student from the University of Derby. Sarah Pickin, 23, found the lump of birch bark tar while on a dig in western Finland. Neolithic people used the material as an antiseptic to treat gum infections, as well as a glue for repairing pots. Ms Pickin's tutor, Professor Trevor Brown, said: "It's particularly significant because well defined tooth imprints were found on the gum." He explained: "Birch bark tar contains phenols, which are antiseptic compounds." Ms Pickin, who was one of five UK students on a volunteer programme at the Kierikki Centre on the west coast of Finland, said: "I was delighted to find the gum and was very excited to learn more about the history." She added: "I am keen to work in this area in the future so the experience has stood me in good stead." The archaeology student also found part of an amber ring and a slate arrow head which will be on display at the centre following laboratory analysis. While Neolithic people chewed gum to treat infection, a spokesman for the British Dental Association said chewing sugar free gum after meals stimulates saliva which offers protection against tooth decay. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/6954562.stm Published: 2007/08/20 09:55:38 GMT {\copyright} BBC MMVII}, author = {News, B. B. C.}, citeulike-article-id = {1576988}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6954562.stm}, comment = {Just a short article about a piece of Neolithic chewing gum found on a dig in Finland.}, keywords = {europe, finland, neolithic, news}, posted-at = {2007-08-20 15:58:43}, priority = {3}, title = {BBC NEWS | UK | Student dig unearths ancient gum}, url = {http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6954562.stm} }

TY - INPR ID - citeulike:1576988 L3 - citeulike-article-id:1576988 N2 - BBC NEWS Student dig unearths ancient gum A 5,000-year-old piece of chewing gum has been discovered by an archaeology student from the University of Derby. Sarah Pickin, 23, found the lump of birch bark tar while on a dig in western Finland. Neolithic people used the material as an antiseptic to treat gum infections, as well as a glue for repairing pots. Ms Pickin's tutor, Professor Trevor Brown, said: "It's particularly significant because well defined tooth imprints were found on the gum." He explained: "Birch bark tar contains phenols, which are antiseptic compounds." Ms Pickin, who was one of five UK students on a volunteer programme at the Kierikki Centre on the west coast of Finland, said: "I was delighted to find the gum and was very excited to learn more about the history." She added: "I am keen to work in this area in the future so the experience has stood me in good stead." The archaeology student also found part of an amber ring and a slate arrow head which will be on display at the centre following laboratory analysis. While Neolithic people chewed gum to treat infection, a spokesman for the British Dental Association said chewing sugar free gum after meals stimulates saliva which offers protection against tooth decay. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/6954562.stm Published: 2007/08/20 09:55:38 GMT © BBC MMVII TI - BBC NEWS | UK | Student dig unearths ancient gum KW - europe KW - finland KW - neolithic KW - news N1 - Just a short article about a piece of Neolithic chewing gum found on a dig in Finland. AU - News, BBC UR - http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6954562.stm ER -