New experiments show that tar made from birch bark -- long known as a tool adhesive -- can inhibit harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, suggesting Neanderthals may have used it to treat wounds and manage infection during the Ice Age. New experiments show that tar made from birch bark — long known as a tool adhesive — can inhibit harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, suggesting Neanderthals may have used it to treat wounds and manage infection during the Ice Age. Birch t... [2733 chars]