Scottish archaeology student discovers 5,000 year old chewing gum in Finland
{{date|August 23, 2007}}

An archaeology student from [[Scotland]] has discovered a 5,000 year old piece of [[w:chewing gum|chewing gum]] on a dig in [[Finland]].

Sarah Pickin, a 23-year-old part-time barmaid studying archaeology with [[w:Derby University|Derby University]], discovered the gum during a dig in the north-west of the country. The gum is a lump of [[w:birch|birch]] bark tar, and still has visible tooth marks. It has been sent away for analysis, and [[w:radio carbon dating|radio carbon dating]] is predicted to show the gum to be 5,000 years old.

Ms Pickin said of her discovery "I had heard of ancient chewing gum being found before on previous European digs so when I found it in the trench, it was the first thing that crossed my mind. 

"However, it looks just like a dirty piece of modern chewing gum with no smell or taste and I was also worried it could have been a bit of fossilised poo, so I asked a few of the other students to make sure. 

"Thankfully they agreed that it was birch-bark gum and it's now away to be carbon dated and have the teeth marks analysed before it goes on display." 

It will be displayed in Finland’s Kierikki centre, which is devoted to finds from the area. Sarah Pickin also discovered a piece of an [[w:amber|amber]] ring, a slate arrowhead and a hair needle. All the finds date to the [[w:Neolithic|Neolithic]] period.

It is believed the gum was chewed as an aid against gum disease, as it contains [[w:antiseptic|antiseptic]]s.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.eitb24.com/new/en/B24_62556/life/ARCHEOLOGICAL-FINDING-5.000-year-old-chewing-gum-found-in/
|title=5.000-year-old chewing gum found in Finland 
|author=
|pub=EiTB24
|date=August 20, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1316032007
|title=The 5,000-year-old chewing gum
|author=Richard Cameron
|pub=The Scotsman
|date=August 20, 2007}}

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[[Category:Archaeology]]
[[Category:Scotland]]
[[Category:Finland]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Wackynews]]

[[Category:Iain Macdonald (Wikinewsie)]]
[[Category:Health]]

[[es:Estudiante escocesa de arqueología encuentra una goma de mascar de más de 5.000 años]]
An archaeology student from Scotland has discovered a 5,000 year old piece of chewing gum on a dig in Finland.

Sarah Pickin, a 23-year-old part-time barmaid studying archaeology with Derby University, discovered the gum during a dig in the north-west of the country. The gum is a lump of birch bark tar, and still has visible tooth marks. It has been sent away for analysis, and radio carbon dating is predicted to show the gum to be 5,000 years old.

Ms Pickin said of her discovery "I had heard of ancient chewing gum being found before on previous European digs so when I found it in the trench, it was the first thing that crossed my mind. 

"However, it looks just like a dirty piece of modern chewing gum with no smell or taste and I was also worried it could have been a bit of fossilised poo, so I asked a few of the other students to make sure. 

"Thankfully they agreed that it was birch-bark gum and it's now away to be carbon dated and have the teeth marks analysed before it goes on display." 

It will be displayed in Finland’s Kierikki centre, which is devoted to finds from the area. Sarah Pickin also discovered a piece of an amber ring, a slate arrowhead and a hair needle. All the finds date to the Neolithic period.

It is believed the gum was chewed as an aid against gum disease, as it contains antiseptics.
Archaeology Scotland Finland Science and technology Wackynews Iain Macdonald (Wikinewsie) Health