Unlocking Secrets of the Past: 1,000-Year-Old Mesoamerican Mummy Sheds Light on Ancient Human Gut Microbiome

The remarkable remains of a man who died in central Mexico around 1,000 years ago unveil secrets about ancient human life. Researchers studied his gut bacteria, revealing a snapshot of the microbiome that once flourished in pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica. This study, published in PLOS ONE, offers fascinating insights into the bacteria that thrived in his intestines long before Europeans arrived.

Known as the “Zimapán man,” this individual was found in a cave in Zimapán, a location bridging Mesoamerica and Aridoamerica. His body was naturally mummified due to the dry conditions of the cave and was wrapped in a complex funerary bundle, hinting at his importance in the Otopame culture, a group of ancient hunter-gatherers.

Led by Santiago Rosas-Plaza from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, researchers used a technique called 16S rRNA sequencing to decode the bacterial DNA in the mummy’s intestinal tissue and feces. The findings revealed bacterial families that are still present in modern humans today, such as Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridiaceae. These bacteria are not just relics of the past; they suggest that some gut bacteria have remained stable over centuries, possibly due to similar diets and environments across time.

Among the noteworthy findings was Romboutsia hominis, a bacterium found in human intestines but never before seen in an ancient microbiome. Its presence hints at a continuous lineage of gut bacteria within humans.

The study also established that the mummy’s gut bacteria were distinct from the surrounding soil, confirming they came from the man himself. Comparisons with both modern and ancient microbiomes showed how diet, lifestyle, and environment influenced gut health in early Mesoamerican societies.

While we don’t know how the Zimapán man died, clues in his gut bacteria point to a diet rich in plant fibers and insects—likely including agave and prickly pear. This reflects a semi-nomadic lifestyle that is consistent with archaeological evidence.

This research is not just significant scientifically; it also sheds light on cultural practices. The care in wrapping the body and the intricate patterns used in textiles indicate a rich cultural tradition. Ongoing restoration efforts aim to preserve and display his burial bundle, linking modern audiences to a life that has endured for a millennium in the silent embrace of a Mexican cave.

It’s clear that our understanding of ancient microbiomes is still evolving. Each new discovery can reshape our views on human health, diet, and cultural practices. As we explore these ancient worlds, we also learn more about our own.

For more insights, check out the full study by Rosas-Plaza et al. here: Microbiome characterization of a pre-Hispanic man from Zimapán, Mexico.

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Ancient Medicine and Diseases,Mesoamerica,Prehispanic