Plant resins, tars and organic fossil substances provide valuable insights into the ecological, environmental and cultural contexts of ancient societies. Their study offers evidence of past know-how, production systems, socio-economic networks and mobility. In this paper, we present new data from 16 sites located in the North-West Mediterranean that provide new insights into the exploitation of these substances for their adhesive and hydrophobic properties throughout the Neolithic (6000-2500 cal BCE). The substances investigated are discussed in the light of their molecular composition, their uses and manufacturing processes. Spatial analyses were also performed to elucidate raw material procurement strategies.

This study considerably increases the body of data available from the Mediterranean and tells a diachronic story of adhesive production and use throughout the Neolithic, highlighting the variability and complexity of production systems and supply networks at different spatial scales. While most adhesive and hydrophobic substances were probably collected locally, birch bark tar was very likely transported across long distances to reach Mediterranean coastal sites. Birch bark tar exploitation intensified in South-Eastern France during the Middle Neolithic, while the Late Neolithic is characterised by a diversification of the substances employed and their range of uses: bitumen, birch bark tar (pure or mixed with Pinaceae resin, beeswax and possibly fat/oil) were important materials that were used for a variety of purposes. Pure Pinaceae exudates were exclusively employed for waterproofing pottery. We also highlight the standardisation of birch bark tar production for adhesive manufacture observed in Provence during the first part of the 4th millennium cal. BCE.

植物树脂，焦油和有机化石物质为古代社会的生态，环境和文化环境提供了宝贵的见识。他们的研究提供了过去的知识，生产系统，社会经济网络和流动性的证据。在本文中，我们提供了位于西北地中海的16个站点的新数据，这些数据为整个新石器时代（公元前6000-2500 cal）利用这些物质的粘附力和疏水性提供了新见解。根据其分子组成，用途和制造工艺讨论了所研究的物质。还进行了空间分析，以阐明原材料采购策略。

这项研究极大地增加了地中海地区可获得的数据量，并讲述了整个新石器时代胶粘剂生产和使用的历时故事，突出了不同空间规模上生产系统和供应网络的可变性和复杂性。虽然大多数粘性和疏水性物质可能是在本地收集的，但桦树皮焦油很可能会长距离运输到地中海沿岸地区。在新石器时代中期，法国东南部桦树皮焦油的开采量增加，而新石器时代后期的特点是所用物质及其用途的多样化：沥青，桦树皮焦油（纯净或与松科树脂混合，蜂蜡和可能的混合使用）脂肪/油）是用于各种目的的重要材料。纯松科植物渗出液专门用于防水陶器。我们还强调了在第四千年的第一部分在普罗旺斯观察到的用于粘合剂制造的白桦皮焦油生产的标准化。公元前。