Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Birch Bark Tar Production: Experimental and Biomolecular Approaches to the Study of a Common and Widely Used Prehistoric Adhesive

  • Published:
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Birch bark tar, the oldest adhesive known in Europe, was widely used during Prehistory. This material, produced by the dry distillation of birch bark, has been identified in various spheres of activities and provides valuable information on the know-how and technical and territorial systems of past societies. This biomaterial can also provide evidence on socio-economic networks and mobility. However, very little is known about the production systems of birch bark tar during Prehistory, including the Neolithic period. The lack of findings in the archaeological record necessitates the development of an approach that combines experimental archaeology and biomolecular chemistry. We present here (1) the results of experiments in which different birch bark tar production systems were tested and (2) the molecular signatures of the birch bark tars produced according to different processes based on the use of ceramic vessels. The key role of bark quality is highlighted for the first time. This study also details direct archaeological inference of the experimental results obtained: a total of 23 samples from the site of Nice-Giribaldi (France, second part of the fifth century BCE) was investigated. Different categories of birch bark tars were identified during Neolithic in the south of France, providing evidence for the existence of complex manufacturing systems and procurement networks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. interviews with Evenk respondents from the Amur Region (Russian Federation) A. Makarov (Ust’Urkima) and with G. and A. Struchkov (Ivanovskoe) in Henry, A., Rageot, M., & Kurovskaja, E. (2017). Rapport de mission ETAPAS: ethnoarchaeology of plant useby arctic and subarctic societies, projet IPEV: 1140, Mission 2017. Unpublished report.

References

  • Aveling, E. M., & Heron, C. (1998). Identification of birch bark tar at the Mesolithic site of star Carr. Ancient Biomolecules, 2, 69–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aveling, E. M., & Heron, C. (1999). Chewing tar in the early Holocene: An archaeological and ethnographic evaluation. Antiquity, 73(281), 579–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balsan, L. (1951). L’industrie de la résine dans les Causses et son extension dans l’empire romain. Gallia, 9, 53–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Battentier, J., Thiébault, S., Binder, D., Théry-Parisot, I., Carré, A., & Delhon, C. (2015). L’abri Pendimoun (Castellar, Alpes-Maritimes): évolution du couvert forestier et exploitation du milieu au Néolithique (5800–2000 cal. BCE). Quaternaire, 26, 279–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binder, D. (2004). Giribaldi et la complexité des sociétés néolithiques. In D. Binder (Ed.), Un chantier archéologique à la loupe. Giribaldi (pp. 70–72). Nice Musées: Nice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Binder, D. (2016). Approvisionnement et gestion des outillages lithiques au Néolithique: l’exemple de Giribaldi en Provence orientale. In A. Tomasso, D. Binder, G. Martino, G. Porraz, P. Simon, & N. Naudinot (Eds.), Ressources lithiques, productions et transferts entre Alpes et Méditerranée. Actes de la séance de la Séance de la Société Préhistorique Française, Nice, 2013 (pp. 289-311): Société Préhistorique Française.

  • Binder, D., Bourgeois, G., Benoist, F., & Vitry, C. (1990). Identification de brai de bouleau (betula) dans le néolithique de Giribaldi (Nice, France) par la spectrométrie de masse. Revue d’Archéométrie, 14, 37–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binder, D., Lepère, C., & Maggi, R. (2008). Epipaléolithique et Néolithique dans l’arc Liguro-Porvençale. Bulletin du Musée d’Anthropologie préhistorique de Monaco, N 1, 49–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Binder, D., & Lepère, C. (2014). From Impresso-Cardial to SMP and Chassey in Provence. Rivista di Studi Liguri, 77–79, 21–29.

  • Bonfield, K. M., Heron, C., Nemcek, N. (1997). The chemical Characterisation of wood tars in prehistoric Europe: A case study from Neolithic of southern Germany. In W. B. A. W. Piotrowski (Ed.), Proceeding of the first international symposium on wood tar and pitch (pp. 203–211). State Archaeological Museum: Warsaw.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosquet, D., Regert, M., Dubois, N., & Jadin, I. (2001). Identification de brai de bouleau sur quatre vases du siterubané de Fexhe-le-Haut-Clocher “Podrî l’Cortri”. Premiers résulrats. Notae Praehistoricae, 21, 119–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourquin-Mignot, C., Brochier, J.-E., Chabal, L., Crozat, S., Fabre, L., Guibal, F., et al. (1999). La botanique (Collection “Archéologiques”). Paris: Editions Errance.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruni, S., & Guglielmi, V. (2014). Identification of archaeological triterpenic resins by the non-separative techniques FTIR and 13C NMR: The case of Pistacia resin (mastic) in comparison with frankincense. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 121, 613–622.

  • Burri, S. (2012). Vivre de l’inculte, vivre dans l’inculte en Basse Provence centrale à la fin du Moyen Âge. Histoire, archéologie et ethnoarchéologie d’un mode de vie itinérant. PhD thesis. Université Aix-Marseille.

  • Cassen, S., & François, P. (2009). Les coupes-à-socles de la Table des Marchands et du néolithique ouest-européen. Projet de recomposition d’un objet archéologique total. In S. Cassen (Ed.), Autour de la Table. Explorations archéologiques et discours savants sur des architectures néolithique à Locmariaquer, Morbihan (Table des Marchands et Grand Menhir) (pp. 568–585). Vannes: Laboratoire de recherches archéologique, CNRS et Université de Nantes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charters, S., Evershed, R. P., Goad, L. J., Heron, C., & Blinkhorn, P. (1993). Ifentification of on adhesive used to repair a roman jar. Archaeometry, 35(1), 91–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colombini, M. P., & Modugno, F. (2009). Organic mass spectrometry in art and archaeology. Chichester: Wiley.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Colombini, M. P., Giachi, G., Iozzo, M., & Ribechini, E. (2009). An Etruscan ointment from Chiusi (Tuscany, Italy): Its chemical characterization. Journal of Archaeological Science, 6(36), 1488–1495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connan, J., Maurin, B., Long, L., & Sebire, H. (2002). Identification de poix et de résine de Conifère dans des échantillons archéologiques du lac de Sanguinet : Exportation de poix en Atlantique à l’époque gallo-romaine. Revue d’Archéométrie, 26, 177–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Czarnowski, E., & Neubauer, D. (1990). Aspekte zur Production und Verarbeitug von Birkenpech. Acta Praehistorica Archaeologica, 23, 11–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Czarnowski, E., Neubauer, D., & Schwörer, P. (1990). Zur Herstellung von Birkenpech im Neolithikum. Acta Praehistorica et Archaeologica, 22, 169–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daher, C., Paris, C., Le Hô, A.-S., Bellot-Gurlet, L., & Echard, J.-P. (2010). A joint use of Raman and infrared spectroscopies for the identification of natural organicmedia used in ancient varnishes. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 41, 1494–1499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dal Ri, L., & Tecchiati, U. (2003). Una distilleria per la pece della fine dell’età del bronzo dal lago di Ledro nel Trentino (loc. Longhini-Assat). In S. G (Ed.), Attraverso le Alpi (pp. 175–181). Stuttgart: Uomini, Vie, Beni, Konrad Theiss Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, R. (1983). The suberin monomers and triterpenoids from outer bark of Betula verrucosa Ehrh. Holforschung, 37, 205–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egenberg, I. M., Aasen, J. A. B., Holtekjølen, A. K., & Lundanes, E. (2002). Characterisation of traditionally kiln produced pine tar by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 62, 143–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egenberg, I. M., Holtekjølen, A. K., & Lundanes, E. (2003). Characterisation of naturally and artificially weathered pine tar coatings by visual assessment and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 4, 221–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, K., & Heron, C. (1993). Glue, disinfectant and chewing gum: Natural products chemistry in archaeology. Chemistry and Industry, 21, 446–449.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evershed, R. P., Jerman, K., & Eglinton, G. (1985). Pine wood origin for pitch from the Mary rose. Nature, 314, 528–530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaillard, Y., Chesnaux, L., Girard, M., Burr, A., Darque-Ceretti, E., Felder, E., et al. (2016). Assessing hafting adhesive efficiency in the experimental shooting of projectile points: A new device for instrumented and ballistic experiments. Archaeometry, 58, 465–483.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garnier, N. (1999). Détermination de la structure moléculaire d’écorces actuelles et d’adhésifs archéologiques par chromatographie en phase gazeuse couplée à la spectrométrie de masse (CPG-SM). Master thesis. Univesité Paris VI, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gast, M. (1999). G63. Goudron. In G. Camps (Ed.), Encyclopédie berbère (pp. 3170–3174). Aix-en-Provence: Edisud.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grünberg, J. M. (2002). Middle Palaeolithic birch-bark pitch. Antiquity, 76, 15–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guillon, S. (2014). Dynamique de la végétation alluviale côtière dans le Sud-Est de la France (bassins versants du Loup et de la Cagne, Alpes-Maritimes) au cours de la première moitié de l’Holocène. PhD thesis. Nice: Université Nice Sophia-Antipolis.

  • Groom, P., Schenck, T., & Pedersen, G. M. (2015). Experimental explorations into the aceramic dry distillation of Betula pubescens (downy birch) bark tar. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 7, 47–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hastorf, C. A., & Popper, V. S. (1989). Current paleoethnobotany: Analytical methods and cultural interpretations of archaeological plant remains (prehistoric archaeology and ecology series). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

  • Hayek, E. W. H., Krenmayr, P., Lohninger, H., Jordi, U., Moche, W., & Sauter, F. (1990). Identification of archaeological and recent wood tar pitches using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and pattern recognition. Analytical Chemistry, 62, 2038–2043.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, A., & Théry-Parisot, I. (2014). From Evenk campfires to prehistoric hearths: Charcoal analysis as a tool for identifying the use of rotten wood as fuel. Journal of Archaeological Science, 52, 321–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, A., Théry-Parisot, I., & Voronkova, E. (2009). La gestion du bois de feu en Forêt Boréale : problématique archéo-anthracologique et étude d’un cas ethnographique (Région De l’Amour, Sibérie). In I. Théry-Parisot, S. Costamagno, & A. Henry (Eds.), Gestion des combustibles au paléolithique et au mésolithique Nouveaux outils, nouvelles interprétations Fuel Management during the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Periods New tools, new interpretations (pp. 17–37): BAR 1914. Oxford: Archaeopress.

  • Hjulström, B., Isaksson, S., & Hennius, A. (2006). Organic geochemical evidence for pine tar production in middle eastern Sweden during the roman iron age. Journal of Archaeological Science, 33, 283–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jauch, V. (1994). Eine römanische Teersiederei im antiken Tasgetium–Eschenz. Archéologie suisse, 17(3), 11–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Julin, M. (2008). Tar production – traditional medicine and potential threat to biodiversity in the Marrakesh region An ethnobotanical study. Degree project in biology. Sweden: Uppsala University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koller, J., & Baumer, U. (2001). High-tech in the middle Palaeolithic: Neandertal-manufactured pitch identified. European Journal of Archaeology, 4(3), 385–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozowyk, P. R. B., Soressi, M., Pomstra, D., & Langejans, G. H. J. (2017). Experimental methods for the Palaeolithic dry distillation of birch bark: Implications for the origin and development of Neandertal adhesive technology. Scientific Reports, 7, 8033.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krasutsky, P. A. (2006). Birch bark research and development. Natural Product Reports, 23(6), 919–942.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurt, Y., Suleyman Kaçar, M., & Isik, K. (2008). Traditional tar production from Cedrus libani A. Rich on the Taurus Mountains in southern Turkey. Economic Botany, 62(4), 615–620.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurt, Y., & Isik, K. (2012). Comparison of tar produced by traditional and laboratory methods. Studies on Ethno-Medicine, 6(2), 77–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurzweil, A., & Todtenhaupt, D. (1991). Technologie der Holzteergewinnung. Acta Praehistorica et Archaeologica, 23, 63–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lavoie, S. (2001). Contribution à la synthèse de dérivés de l’acide bétulnique à partir du betulinol extrait de l’ecorce du bouleau blanc (betula papyrifera). Master thesis, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. http://constellation.uqac.ca/914/1/12332457.pdf.

  • Lepers, C. (1997). Brai, résine, goudron et autres. Bulletin des chercheurs de la Wallonie, 37,113–132.

  • Li, T.-S., Wang, J.-X., & Zheng, X.-J. (1998). Simple synthesis of allobetulin, 28-oxyallobetulin and related biomarkers from betulin and betulinic acid catalysed by solid acids. Journal of Chemical Society Perkin Transactions, 1(23), 3957–3966.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucquin, A., March, R. J., & Cassen, S. (2007). Analysis of adhering organic residues of two “couple-à-socles” from the neolithic funerary site “la Hougue Bie” in Jersey: Evidences of birch bark tar utilisation. Journal of Archaeological Science, 34, 704–710.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazza, P. P. A., Martini, F., Sala, B., Magi, M., Colombini, M. P., Giachi, G., et al. (2006). A new Palaeolithic discovery: Tar-hafted stone tools in a European mid-Pleistocene bone-bearing bed. Journal of Archaeological Science, 33, 1310–1318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirabaud, S., Pétrequin, A.-M., Pétrequin, P., & Regert, M. (2015). Système de production des adhésifs exploités à Clairvaux VII et Clairvaux XIV. In P. Pétrequin, & A.-M. Pétrequin (Eds.), Clairvaux et le “Néolithique Moyen Bourguignon” (Vol. Tome 2, pp. 1001-1021). Centre de Recherche Archéologique de la Vallée de l’Ain: Presses universitaires de Franche-Comté.

  • Mitkidou, S., Dimitrakoudi, E., Urem-Kotsou, D., Papadopoulou, D., Kotsakis, K., Stratis, J. A., et al. (2008). Organic residue analysis of Neolithic pottery from North Greece. Microchimica Acta, 160, 493–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neubauer-Saurer, D. (1997). Birkenpechproduktion im Neolithikum (ein mögliches verfahren). In W. B. A. W. Piotrowski (Ed.), Poceeding of the first international symposium on wood tar and pitch (pp. 41–44). State Archaeological Museum: Warsaw.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orengo, H. A., Palet, J., Ejarque, A., Miras, Y., & Riera, S. (2013). Pitch production during the roman period: An intensive mountain industry for a globalised economy? Antiquity, 87, 802–814.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osgood, C. (1959). Ingalik mental culture (Vol. 56): Yale university publications in anthropology. New Haven: Yale University

  • Osipowicz, G. (2005). A method of wood tar production, without the use of ceramics. In (RE)constrution and experiment in archaeology. European Platform, 2, 11–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, F. (2007). Die Entstehung von Birkenpech in einer Feuerstelle unter paläolithischen Bedingungen. Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft für Urgeschichte, 16, 75–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pawlik, A. (2011). Die funktionale Analyse der Steingeräte und die Rekonstruktion der Aktivitäten am Ullafelsen. In D. Schäfer (Ed.), Mensch und Umwelt im Holozän Tirols (Vol. 1, pp. 319–424). Innsbruck: Philipp von Zabern.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pradeau, J.-V., Binder, D., Verati, C., Lardeaux, J.-M., Dubernet, S., Lefrais, Y., et al. (2016). Procurement strategies of Neolithic colouring materials: Territoriality and networks from 6th to 5th millennia BCE in north-western Mediterranean. Journal of Archaeological Science, 71, 10–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rameau, J. C., Manson, D., & Dumé, G. (1993). Flore forestière française Tome 2, Montagnes. Dijon-Quetigny: Institut Pour Le Developpement Forestier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rameau, J. C., Manson, D., & Dumé, G. (2008). Flore forestière française Tome 3, Région Méditerranéenne. Dijon-Quetigny: Institut Pour Le Developpement Forestier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rageot, M. (2015). Les substances naturelles en Méditerranée nord-occidentale (VIe-Ie Millénaire BCE) : chimie et archéologie des matériaux exploités pour leurs propriétés adhésives et hydrophobes. Unpublished PhD thesis. Nice: Université Nice Sophia Antipolis.

  • Rageot, M., Pêche-Quilichini, K., Py, V., Filippi, J. J., Fernandez, X., & Regert, M. (2016). Exploitation of beehive products, plant exudates and tars in Corsica during the early iron age. Archaeometry, 58, 315–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajewski, Z. (1970). Pech und Teer bei den Slaven. Zeitschrift für Achäologie, 4, 46–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Regert, M. (1996). Les composés organiques en préhistoire : nouvelles approches analytiques. Unpublished PhD thesis. Nanterr: Université Paris X.

  • Regert, M., Delacotte, J.-M., Menu, M., Pétrequin, P., & Rolando, C. (1998). Identification of neolithic hafting adhesives from two lake dwellings at Chalain (Jura, France). Ancient Biomolecules, 2, 81–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Regert, M., Garnier, N., Binder, D., & Pétrequin, P. (2000). Les adhésifs néolithiques : quels matériaux utilisés, quelles techniques de production dans quel context social? L’exemple des adhésifs des sites de Giribaldi et de Chalain. In Arts du feu et productions artisanales. XXe rencontres internationales d’archéologie et d’histoire Antibes (pp. 585–604). Antibes: Editions APDCA.

  • Regert, M., & Rolando, C. (2002). Identification of archaeological adhesives using direct inlet electron ionization mass spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry, 74(5), 965–975.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regert, M., Vacher, S., Moulherat, C., & Decavallas, O. (2003). Ahesive production and pottery function during the iron age at the site of grand Aunay (Sarthe, France). Archaeometry, 45(1), 101–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regert, M., Alexandre, V., Thomas, N., & Lattuati-Derieux, A. (2006). Molecular characterisation of birch bark tar by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: A new way for identifying archaeological glues. Journal of Chromatography A, 1101, 245–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regert, M., Devièse, T., Le Hô, A.-S., & Rougeulle, A. (2008). Reconstructing ancient Yemeni commercial routes during the middle ages using structural characterization of terpenoid resins. Archaeometry, 50(4), 668–695.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regert, M., & Mirabaud, S. (2014). Substances naturelles exploitées sur les sites de Chalain et Clairvaux : nature et fonction des matériaux organiques amorphes. In R.-M. Arbogast, & A. Greffier-Richard (Eds.), Entre archéologie et écologie, une Préhistoire de tous les milieux. Mélanges offerts à Pierre Pétrequin (pp. 79-91). Besançon: Presses universitaires de Franche-Comté.

  • Reunanen, M., Ekman, R., & Hafizoglu, H. (1996). Composition of tars from softwoods and birch. Holzforschung, 50(2), 118–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ribechini, E., Bacchiocchi, M., Deviese, T., & Colombini, M. P. (2011). Analytical pyrolysis with in situ thermally assisted derivatisation, Py(HMDS)-GC/MS, for the chemical characterization of archaeological birch bark tar. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 91, 219–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sauter, F., Ulrich, J., Graf, A., Werther, W., & Varmuza, K. (2000). Studies in organic archaeometry I: Identification of the prehistoric adhesive used by “Tyrolean icemen” to fix his weapons. Arkivoc, 5, 735–747.

  • Sauter, F., Varmuza, K., Werther, W., & Stadler, P. (2002). Studies in organic archaeometry V: Chemical analysis of organic material found in traces on an Neolithic terracotta idol statuette excavated in lower Austria. Arkivoc, 1, 54–60.

  • Schenck, T., & Groom, P. (2018). The aceramic production of Betula pubescens (downy birch) bark tar using simple raised structures. A viable Neanderthal technique? Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 10(1), 19–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schoknecht, U., & Schwartze, E. (1964). Hinweise zur Pechbereitung in fruhslawischer Zeit. Ausgrabung und Funde, 12, 205–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, B., Heron, C., Tellefsen, T., & Serpico, M. (2008). New investigations into Uluburun resin cargo. Journal of Archaeological Science, 35, 2188–2203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szafranski, W. (1997). Die frühmittelalterlische teerschwele in Biskupin. In W. B. A. W. Piotrowski (Ed.), Poceeding of the first international symposium on wood tar and pitch. Warsaw: State archaeological museum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Théry-Parisot, I., Thiebault, S., Delannoy, J. J., Ferrier, C., Feruglio, V., Fritz, C., et al. (accepted). Lluminating the cave, drawing with black wood charcoal: New insights from la Grotte Chauvet (Vallon-Pont d’Arc, France) through charcoal fragments analysis. Antiquity.

  • Thiébault, S. (2010). Archéologie environnementale de la France. Paris: La Découverte.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trintignac, A. (2003). La production de poix dans la cité des gabales (Lozère) à l’époque gallo-romaine. RAP. 1/2, 239–248.

  • Ukkonen, F. K., & Erä, V. (1979). Birch bark extractives. Kemia-Kemi, 5, 217–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Urem-Kotsou, D., Stern, B., Heron, C., & Kotsakis, K. (2002). Birch bark tar at Neolithic Makriyalos, Greece. Antiquity, 76, 962–967.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voß, R. (1997). Slawische keramik zur teergewinnung vom 7.-12. Jh. in Mecklenburg und Vorpommern. In W. B. A. W. Piotrowski (Ed.), Proceedings of the first international symposium on wood tar and pitch (pp. 81–86). State Archaeological Museum: Warsaw.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zakoscielna, A., & Gurba, J. (1997). Frühmittelalterliche holzteergruben in Lopiennik Dolny in der Woiwodschaft Chelm. In W. B. A. W. Piotrowski (Ed.), Proceedings of the first international symposium on wood tar and pitch (pp. 73–79). State Archaeological Museum: Warsaw.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zasada, J. (2000). Birch saps arisin’! So what you ask?—Some considerations about non-timber forest products from paper birch. In H. Chen, A. Luke, & W. Bidwell (Eds.), Proceedings for the ecology and management of white birch workshop, Wawa, Ontario, 2000 (pp. 3): Ontario.

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are very grateful to the ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche) and its financial support of the research programme EXSUDARCH dedicated to the chemistry, manufacture and use of plant exudates and tars. The results presented here are part of the PhD thesis of Maxime Rageot, funded by the CNRS, the Région PACA and the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis. We are grateful to these institutions for their support. The authors are also grateful to the French Polar Institute (IPEV) and its financial support of the research programme ETAPAS dedicated to the ethno-archaeology of plant use and exploitation (awarded to S. Beyries). We sincerely thank Jean-Denys Strich, Sabine Sorin and Pierre-Alain Gillioz for help in designing the figures. Lastly, we thank the reviewers for their fruitful comments.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Maxime Rageot

    Present address: Department of Pre- and Protohistory, University of Tübingen, Burgsteige 11, 72070, Tübingen, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CNRS, CEPAM, Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France

    Maxime Rageot, Isabelle Théry-Parisot, Sylvie Beyries, Cédric Lepère, Alain Carré, Arnaud Mazuy, Didier Binder & Martine Regert

  2. CNRS, ICN, Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France

    Maxime Rageot, Jean-Jacques Filippi & Xavier Fernandez

  3. Eveha- Etudes et Valorisation Archéologiques, Lyon, France

    Cédric Lepère

Authors
  1. Maxime Rageot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Isabelle Théry-Parisot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sylvie Beyries
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cédric Lepère
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Alain Carré
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Arnaud Mazuy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jean-Jacques Filippi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Xavier Fernandez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Didier Binder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Martine Regert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maxime Rageot.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 12 kb)

ESM 2

(DOCX 29 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rageot, M., Théry-Parisot, I., Beyries, S. et al. Birch Bark Tar Production: Experimental and Biomolecular Approaches to the Study of a Common and Widely Used Prehistoric Adhesive. J Archaeol Method Theory 26, 276–312 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10816-018-9372-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10816-018-9372-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation