The exceptionally well-preserved remains of a man who lived in Zimapán, Mexico, a thousand years ago – before Spanish colonization – made it possible to identify the bacteria present in his intestinal microbiome, a finding that sheds new light on the history and understanding of human evolution.
Led by Santiago Rosas-Plaza of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, a team of scientists analyzed preserved feces and intestinal tissue and revealed specific types of bacteria that were present in the microbiome of this male who was discovered in a cave.
The details of the study were published this Wednesday in the scientific journal PLOS One.
The human gut microbiome is made up of microorganisms, including bacteria, that are naturally present in the gut, and although some types of bacteria are widely associated with the human gut microbiome, a person’s particular bacterial mix can vary depending on age, diet, health, and where they live.
Studying the ancient microbiomes of mummies and human remains can help deepen our understanding of ancient populations and show how the human microbiome may have changed over time.
Ancient microbiomes
In recent decades, a growing number of ancient microbiomes have been analyzed, including that of an Inca and the “Iceman” of Germany.
To expand the field further, Rosas-Plaza and his team analyzed the exceptionally well-preserved remains of a man discovered in a rock shelter in Zimapán – baptized the “Zimapan Man” – a semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer who was part of the ancient Mesoamerican Otopame culture and who died when he was between 21 and 35 years old.
To determine what types of bacteria may have been present in their microbiome, the team applied a standard method known as 16S rRNA gene sequencing to their mummified intestinal tissue and preserved feces and found several families of bacteria associated with the human microbiome, such as Peptostreptococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcaceae.
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They also detected high levels of bacteria in the Clostridiaceae family, which had previously been found in intestinal tissue from mummies from ancient Andean civilizations.
The remains also contained some bacteria, such as Romboutsia hominis, that are associated with the modern human gut microbiome, but had not been found in ancient microbiomes until now.
These findings expand knowledge of ancient microbiomes and could provide clues to the life of Zimapan Man, although additional analysis will be needed to confirm these results and determine the full composition of the Zimapan Man microbiome.
A prominent figure for the community
“The remains of the Zimapán man were carefully wrapped like a bundle, which can be interpreted as an indication that they were an important figure within the community,” the authors of the study detail.
“The outer layer of the bundle was made of a mat, that is, long fibers, apparently of maguey, intertwined to form a strong but malleable rectangle. Beneath this mat, on which the man from Zimapán was placed, was a perfectly woven sheet of native brown cotton.”
By studying the mathematical composition of the knots within the fabric, “we concluded that it was a peculiar and complex arrangement to carry out,” they add.
Professor Luisa Mainauo, from the National Institute of Anthropology and History, who guards the mortuary bundle, spent eight years working with her team to restore the savannah that will “soon” be exhibited in Mexico, the authors advance.
With information from EFE.
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