On the performance of birch tar made with different techniques

Abstract Birch tar is one of the oldest adhesives known in human history. Its production has been discussed in the framework of early complex behaviours and sophisticated cognitive capacities. The precise production method used in the Palaeolithic remains unknown today. Arguments for or against spec...

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Autores principales:	Patrick Schmidt, Matthias A. Blessing, Tabea J. Koch, Klaus G. Nickel
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	SpringerOpen 2021
Materias:	Early engineering techniques Shear strength Neanderthal modernity Early pyrotechnology Adhesives Fine Arts N Analytical chemistry QD71-142
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/9ca891a822204b42a315af0146a5ce38
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:9ca891a822204b42a315af0146a5ce382021-11-07T12:15:32ZOn the performance of birch tar made with different techniques10.1186/s40494-021-00621-12050-7445https://doaj.org/article/9ca891a822204b42a315af0146a5ce382021-11-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-021-00621-1https://doaj.org/toc/2050-7445Abstract Birch tar is one of the oldest adhesives known in human history. Its production has been discussed in the framework of early complex behaviours and sophisticated cognitive capacities. The precise production method used in the Palaeolithic remains unknown today. Arguments for or against specific production pathways have been based on efficiency or process complexity. No studies have addressed the question whether birch tar made with different techniques is more or less performant in terms of its properties. We therefore investigate the adhesive performance of birch tar made with three distinct methods: the open-air condensation method and two variations of underground structures that approximate the double-pot method in aceramic conditions. We use lap-shear testing, a standard mechanical test used for testing the strength of industrial adhesives. Tar made in 1 h with the condensation method has a shear strength similar to, although slightly higher than, tar made underground if the underground process lasts for 20 h. However, tars from shorter underground procedures (5 h) are significantly less strong (by a factor of about 3). These findings have important implications for our understanding of the relationship between the investment required for Palaeolithic birch tar production and the benefits that birch tar represented for early technology. In this regard, the simple and low-investment open-air condensation method provides the best ratio.Patrick SchmidtMatthias A. BlessingTabea J. KochKlaus G. NickelSpringerOpenarticleEarly engineering techniquesShear strengthNeanderthal modernityEarly pyrotechnologyAdhesivesFine ArtsNAnalytical chemistryQD71-142ENHeritage Science, Vol 9, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Early engineering techniques Shear strength Neanderthal modernity Early pyrotechnology Adhesives Fine Arts N Analytical chemistry QD71-142
spellingShingle	Early engineering techniques Shear strength Neanderthal modernity Early pyrotechnology Adhesives Fine Arts N Analytical chemistry QD71-142 Patrick Schmidt Matthias A. Blessing Tabea J. Koch Klaus G. Nickel On the performance of birch tar made with different techniques
description	Abstract Birch tar is one of the oldest adhesives known in human history. Its production has been discussed in the framework of early complex behaviours and sophisticated cognitive capacities. The precise production method used in the Palaeolithic remains unknown today. Arguments for or against specific production pathways have been based on efficiency or process complexity. No studies have addressed the question whether birch tar made with different techniques is more or less performant in terms of its properties. We therefore investigate the adhesive performance of birch tar made with three distinct methods: the open-air condensation method and two variations of underground structures that approximate the double-pot method in aceramic conditions. We use lap-shear testing, a standard mechanical test used for testing the strength of industrial adhesives. Tar made in 1 h with the condensation method has a shear strength similar to, although slightly higher than, tar made underground if the underground process lasts for 20 h. However, tars from shorter underground procedures (5 h) are significantly less strong (by a factor of about 3). These findings have important implications for our understanding of the relationship between the investment required for Palaeolithic birch tar production and the benefits that birch tar represented for early technology. In this regard, the simple and low-investment open-air condensation method provides the best ratio.
format	article
author	Patrick Schmidt Matthias A. Blessing Tabea J. Koch Klaus G. Nickel
author_facet	Patrick Schmidt Matthias A. Blessing Tabea J. Koch Klaus G. Nickel
author_sort	Patrick Schmidt
title	On the performance of birch tar made with different techniques
title_short	On the performance of birch tar made with different techniques
title_full	On the performance of birch tar made with different techniques
title_fullStr	On the performance of birch tar made with different techniques
title_full_unstemmed	On the performance of birch tar made with different techniques
title_sort	on the performance of birch tar made with different techniques
publisher	SpringerOpen
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/9ca891a822204b42a315af0146a5ce38
work_keys_str_mv	AT patrickschmidt ontheperformanceofbirchtarmadewithdifferenttechniques AT matthiasablessing ontheperformanceofbirchtarmadewithdifferenttechniques AT tabeajkoch ontheperformanceofbirchtarmadewithdifferenttechniques AT klausgnickel ontheperformanceofbirchtarmadewithdifferenttechniques
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On the performance of birch tar made with different techniques

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