Experimental methods for the Palaeolithic dry distillation of birch bark: implications for the origin and development of Neandertal adhesive technology
| Autor: | D. Pomstra, Marie Soressi, Paul R. B. Kozowyk, Geeske H.J. Langejans |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2017 |
| Předmět: |
Technology
010506 paleontology Destructive distillation lcsh:Medicine Biology 01 natural sciences Article Plant Mucilage Adhesives Plant Bark Animals Humans 0601 history and archaeology lcsh:Science Betula Distillation Neanderthals 0105 earth and related environmental sciences 060101 anthropology Multidisciplinary lcsh:R Tar 06 humanities and the arts Pulp and paper industry Dry distillation Tars Archaeology visual_art visual_art.visual_art_medium lcsh:Q Bark Adhesive Experimental methods Tar yield |
| Zdroj: | Scientific Reports, 7, 8033 Scientific Reports Scientific Reports, Vol 7, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2017) |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41598-017-08106-7 |
| Popis: | The destructive distillation of birch bark to produce tar has recently featured in debates about the technological and cognitive abilities of Neandertals and modern humans. The abilities to precisely control fire temperatures and to manipulate adhesive properties are believed to require advanced mental traits. However, the significance given to adhesive technology in these debates has quickly outgrown our understanding of birch bark tar and its manufacture using aceramic techniques. In this paper, we detail three experimental methods of Palaeolithic tar production ranging from simple to complex. We recorded the fuel, time, materials, temperatures, and tar yield for each method and compared them with the tar known from the Palaeolithic. Our results indicate that it is possible to obtain useful amounts of tar by combining materials and technology already in use by Neandertals. A ceramic container is not required, and temperature control need not be as precise as previously thought. However, Neandertals must have been able to recognize certain material properties, such as adhesive tack and viscosity. In this way, they could develop the technology from producing small traces of tar on partially burned bark to techniques capable of manufacturing quantities of tar equal to those found in the Middle Palaeolithi c archaeological record. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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