尼安德特人可能利用史前桦树焦油作为天然抗菌剂

来自科隆大学、牛津大学、列日大学和加拿大卡普顿大学的研究人员通过重现史前生产技术，发现桦树焦油具有显著的抗菌性能。1 研究表明，所有类型的桦树焦油都能有效抑制金黄色葡萄球菌的生长。1 这一发现暗示尼安德特人除了将桦树焦油作为工具粘合剂外，还可能将其用作天然抗菌剂来治疗伤口感染。1

研究人员采用两种古代方法生产桦树焦油：干馏法（在密封地下坑中加热桦树皮）和烧烤冷凝法（在石头表面烧烤桦树皮）。1 相关研究成果已于2026年3月发表在《PLOS One》期刊上。1 这项工作表明古代物质和传统医学实践可能对现代抗生素研究具有参考价值。1

Researchers from the University of Cologne, Oxford University, University of Liège, and Cape Breton University have discovered that birch tar, a substance produced through prehistoric techniques, possesses antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium responsible for wound infections.1 The scientists recreated ancient production methods to generate the tar and test its effectiveness, finding that all types of birch tar inhibited the growth of this pathogenic microorganism.1

The research team employed two historical production techniques: dry distillation, which involved heating birch bark in sealed underground pits, and roasting condensation, which used heated stone surfaces to process birch bark.1 These findings suggest that Neanderthals may have utilized birch tar not solely as an adhesive for tool-making, but also as a natural antibacterial agent for treating wounds.1 The study, published in PLOS One in March 2026, implies that ancient substances and traditional medical practices could offer valuable insights for modern antibiotic research.1