Homemade Glue Based on 40 000 Years Old Neanderthals Recipe

I recently found that birchbark pitch, made by Neanderthals during the Middle Paleolithic in Europe around 200,000 years ago, is the oldest known single-component adhesive. Later, evidence of compound adhesives from the Middle Stone Age in Southern Africa was discovered, which could be as old as 70,000 years.

Studies show that Neanderthals living in Europe from about 55,000 to 40,000 years ago traveled away from their caves to collect rosin from pine trees. They then utilized that adhesive material to attach stone implements to wood or bone handles.

Pine rosin (from Pinus sp.) or acacia gum (Acacia Senegal) were used as primary adhesives, and beeswax and ochre powder as secondary additives.

In this Instructable, I'll attempt to replicate such glue using readily available store-bought components and experiment with various parts ratios. I'll refer to it as Neanderthal glue throughout the process.

In order to create a Neanderthal glue, you will need the following ingredients:

Primary adhesive:

• Natural Pine Rosin

or

• Natural Acacia Gum

Secondary additives:

• Beeswax bars or Candle

and

• Ochre additive

Tools:

• Electric hot plate
• Small digital scale
• A spoon (not a wooden one)
• Wooden stick
• Plastic containers or Mason jars
• Hammer (for crushing Pine Rosin, optional)
• Knife
• Used tin can

If you got the pine rosin in bigger pieces, it's useful to crush them a bit with a hammer, so it will melt faster. But it's not necessary.

I cut a beeswax from a candle by horizontal cuts, so the candle can be still used later. Prepare 10 grams of each rosin and beeswax for every different glue version. You will adjust the ratio later, according to your preferences.

First, I prepared a pine rosin version of the Neanderthal glue. On the electric hot plate, I placed a small pot of water and placed a can of Rosin in it. I brought water to the boil and tried to mix the rosin with the spoon, but it was quite difficult, and the mass stuck to it. That's why I used a wooden stick. After a few minutes of boiling, rosin should start to dissolve. You can add a small amount of water in the can to make the mass thinner.

After the rosin dissolved, I added beeswax scraps to it. The ratio should be 1:1 (Rosin : Beeswax). At this point, it is important to stir continuously to mix the ingredients. The temperature should not exceed 140 °C (284 °F) so that the beeswax does not degrade. When the beeswax is completely dissolved and the power of the cooker is reduced, the mass should solidify slowly, as in the picture.

This step is optional. I used a mixture of red and yellow ochre, which I added 1 gram gradually. After mixing all together, this version of Neanderthal glue is done. By now, our kitchen was filled with characteristics of strong beeswax odor.

I cleaned up the containers first and dried them, then I placed them on a paper towel. I poured the glue slowly while still hot, holding the tin can with the glove. Be careful, since the mixture is quite sticky.

Before creating a second version of the Neanderthal glue, wash the tin can first, to remove any residue of rosin. Then add the Gum inside the can and bring the water to boil. Add a bit of water into the can too and let it also bring to boil, while stirring. Acacia Gum melts much faster than rosin, so it should be quick.

After the gum has melted completely, add the beeswax into it and stir until the mixture is smooth. I used 1: 1 ratio (Acacia gum: beeswax). I immediately noticed that this version is not that solid, but remains thinner. In this version, I omitted ocher, which made the color lighter.

Still hot, I poured the acacia gum version into a container. The mixture is not clear, as acacia gum contains various minor impurities. The consistency is much thinner and is easy to pour into the bottle.

I noticed that initial versions are not as sticky as I would like to. Rosin's version also solidified quickly. Therefore, I tried to experiment with different ratios of primary adhesives and secondary additives. Results are listed in the next step.

Versions left to right:

1. Pine Rosin, Beeswax, Ochre, ratio 5:5:1 - Version from Step 2 to 5. Dense and not very sticky.
2. Pine Rosin, Beeswax, Ochre, ratio 5:3:1 - Better than nr.1, but still too dense.
3. Acacia gum, Beeswax, Ochre, ratio 5:2:1 - Best Acacia Gum version. Sticky and viscous.
4. Acacia gum, Beeswax, ratio 3:1 - Beeswax not melted completely. Quite sticky.
5. Acacia gum, Beeswax, ratio 1:1 - Version from Step 6 to 8. Viscous but not sticky.
6. Pine Rosin, Beeswax, Ochre, ratio 7:1:1 - Thin mixture, very sticky.
7. Pine Rosin, Beeswax, ratio 7:3 - Too dense, but sticky.
8. Pine Rosin, Beeswax, Ochre, ratio 7:2:1 - Best one of all. Very sticky and viscous. Not too dense, not too thin.

Versions 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 also contains 3 grams of water.

Thank you for visiting.