Stone-age superglue

Researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa have discovered a sophisticated stone-age "superglue" that was used to make and reinforce tools:


Stone Age humans… knowingly tweaked the chemical and physical properties of an iron-containing pigment known as red ochre with the gum of acacia trees to create adhesives for their shafted tools.

Archaeologists had believed the blood-red pigment–used by people in what is now South Africa about 70,000 years ago–served a decorative or symbolic purpose.

But the scientists had also suspected that the pigment may have been purposely added to improve glue that held the peoples' tools together.

Stone Age Superglue Found — Hints at Unknown Smarts?

(via Make)