In Mexico, a 1000-year-old mummy with microorganisms in the intestine was discovered
Researchers analyzed an exceptionally well-preserved remains of a young man who lived approximately 1000 years ago in the Simapan (Zimapán) area, Mexico, as reported by ThePublic.info, citing Discover. The body was found in a natural rock shelter. Due to the dry and cool microclimate of the cave, the mummy was preserved so well that scientists were able to study not only the intestinal tissues but also the feces.
According to the authors of the study, the man died at approximately 21 to 35 years of age. He likely belonged to the hunter-gatherer culture of Otomi.
The human intestine contains trillions of bacteria. Their composition depends on age, diet, health, and place of residence.
The team led by Santiago Rosas-Plaza from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) studied the microorganisms remaining in this person's gut. They used a modern 16S rRNA sequencing method — which allows determining exactly which bacteria lived in the body.
The samples contained bacteria from families that are still commonly found in the human gut today: Peptostreptococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Enterococcaceae.
Of particular interest is the discovery of Romboutsia hominis — this is the first documented case of this bacteria being preserved in such an ancient sample. It is closely related to the microbiota of modern humans.
The bacterial composition helped scientists roughly determine the man's diet. Microorganism traces indicate that he consumed both plants and insects. Specifically, bacteria associated with the digestion of agave, yucca, and opuntia (cactus). Other types are related to the digestion of insect tissues.
"These results expand our knowledge of ancient microbiomes and may provide clues about the lifestyle of the man from Simapan. Additional research will help more precisely reconstruct his full microbiota," — noted the authors of the study.
The mummy was preserved thanks to the unique conditions in the cave: the body was wrapped in a complex fabric made of brown cotton and a mat of agave.
"The remains of the man from Zimapán were carefully wrapped, like a bundle, which can be interpreted as evidence that he was an important figure in the community," — say scientists.
