Ötzi, the Homem of Gelo, died about 5,300 years ago in the Alpes. New research has detailed the microbial community that still inhabits his preserved body. The study, conducted by Eurac Research, identified bacteria, fungi and yeasts in different tissues.
The mummy was discovered in 1991 on the border between Itália and Áustria. Desde then, samples collected over more than three decades allowed the most complete analysis ever carried out on its microbial landscape.
Três distinct microbial worlds form the ecosystem of Ötzi
The researchers separated the microbes into three main groups. One of them brings together ancestral intestinal bacteria from the period in which Ötzi lived. Outro includes organisms adapted to the cold of the glacial environment where the body remained for millennia. The third covers modern microbes introduced during conservation at the museum.
- Ancestral gut Bactérias linked to pre-industrial high-fiber diets
- Leveduras tolerant to low temperatures that actively proliferate
- Conservation Bactérias introduced by water spray in museum
- Microrganismos from the soil and ice that colonized the body after death
Essa division helps you understand what belongs to the remote past and what arrived later. The study was published in the journal Microbiome.
Microbiologist Mohamed Sarhan, lead author, highlighted that Ötzi functions as a dynamic ecosystem. Seu body houses metabolically capable organisms that respond to the current environment.
Gut Bactérias Provide Window into Idade Cobre Microbiome
The bacteria found in the intestine of Ötzi reflect eating habits from before industrialization. Elas are associated with diets rich in fiber and with little exposure to antibiotics or processed foods. Previous Pesquisas had already identified remains of their last meals: venison, goat and wheat.
Esses microbes rarely appear in the intestines of people with modern Western lifestyles. Sarhan noted that his disappearance is linked to changes in diet and medication use. Ötzi shows what humanity may have lost over the centuries.
The DNA of these bacteria shows damage consistent with thousands of years of degradation. Ainda thus, preservation in the anaerobic environment of the intestinal tract was remarkable. Scientists cannot confirm full metabolic activity through genetic analysis alone, but the conservation is impressive.
Cold-adapted Leveduras raises alerts about mummy conservation
Leveduras that thrive in low temperatures actively grow on Ötzi. The mummy is stored at -6°C in Museu Arqueológico Tirol Sul Bolzano to simulate original glacial conditions. The presence of these active organisms raises questions about their long-term integrity.
Após discovery in 1991, transfer to the museum initiated new microbial colonization. Água used to keep the mummy moist introduced bacteria that now dominate the external surfaces. Essa influence of conservation practices was not fully recognized before.
Frank Maixner, director of Instituto of Estudos of Múmias of Eurac Research, classified Ötzi as a visitor who delivers valuable information about the past. The body, naturally preserved for millennia, continues to reveal details about life on Idade from Cobre.
Análise differentiates microbes from life, death and modern conservation
Micróbios in deep internal tissues with high DNA damage were likely present during the lifetime of Ötzi or shortly thereafter. Aqueles without significant damage and compatible with the museum environment arrived recently. Those of glacial origin are in the middle of the road, representing post-mortem but pre-discovery colonization.
Ötzi was around 45 years old when he died, an old age for the time. Ele carried geometric tattoos, clothes made of different animal skins and tools such as a copper ax and bow. An arrowhead to the left shoulder caused fatal bleeding.
The study combines amplicon profiling, shotgun metagenomics and cultural analyses. Ele includes tissue samples collected since the discovery and also from the soil beneath the body in 1991.
Descoberta reinforces the scientific value of the mummy for multiple areas
The research opens perspectives for microbial archeology. Ela allows you to compare ancient microbiomes with current ones and understand transformations caused by modernity. Além also raises discussions about mummy conservation methods in museums.
Cold-adapted Leveduras may have future industrial applications. The work shows that Ötzi is not a static relic. Seu body acts as an interface between the ancient world and the present.