Scientists have reconstructed the genome of an ancient human who lived nearly 5,700 years ago in Southern Denmark from the birch pitch- an ancient tar-like substance.

By sequencing the sample, researchers not only discovered the ancient human DNA but also microbial DNA reflecting the oral microbiome of the person who chewed the pitch, along with plant and animal DNA that could be the recent meal she might have consumed.

The DNA sample is comparable in quality to well-preserved teeth and skull bones. The DNA suggests that the chewer was a female, most likely with dark skin, dark brown hair and blue eyes.