Archaeological adhesives made from <i>Podocarpus</i> document innovative potential in the African Middle Stone Age.

ABSTRACT: Studying the earliest archaeological adhesives has implications for our understanding of human cognition. In southern Africa, the oldest adhesives were made by Homo sapiens in the Middle Stone Age. Chemical studies have shown that these adhesives were made from a local conifer of the Podocarpaceae family. However, Podocarpus does not exude resin, nor any other substance that could have been recognized as having adhesive properties. Therefore, it remains unknown how these adhesives were made. This study investigates how Podocarpus adhesives can be made, comparing their mechanical properties with other naturally available adhesives. We found that Podocarpus tar can only be made by dry distillation of leaves, requiring innovative potential, skill, and knowle

SUBMITTER: Schmidt P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9546601 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature