Scientists have uncovered remarkable details about the gut microbiome of a man who lived in Mexico around 1,000 years ago—long before the arrival of Spanish colonizers.
By studying preserved intestinal tissue and feces, researchers identified the kinds of bacteria that once thrived in his body, offering new insights into both ancient life and the evolution of the human microbiome.
The gut microbiome is the community of microorganisms—mainly bacteria—that live in our intestines.
While certain families of bacteria are common in humans everywhere, the exact makeup of a person’s microbiome can be shaped by age, diet, lifestyle, and environment.
Looking at microbiomes from the past can therefore help scientists understand how they may have shifted over thousands of years.
The new research, led by Santiago Rosas-Plaza of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and published in PLOS One, focused on the exceptionally well-preserved remains of a man found in a rock shelter in Zimapán, Mexico.
Known as the “Zimapán man,” he likely belonged to the ancient Otopame culture and lived as a seasonal seminomadic hunter-gatherer. Analyses suggest he died between the ages of 21 and 35.
To investigate his microbiome, the team used a genetic sequencing technique that identifies bacteria through fragments of their DNA.
The results revealed several familiar bacterial families that are still associated with the human gut today, including Peptostreptococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Enterococcaceae.
Interestingly, the researchers also found high levels of bacteria from the Clostridiaceae family. These bacteria have previously been detected in mummies from ancient Andean cultures, suggesting some common traits across ancient populations.
Even more surprising was the discovery of Romboutsia hominis—a bacterium known in modern human microbiomes but never before identified in ancient samples.
These findings not only expand our understanding of ancient microbiomes but may also shed light on the Zimapán man’s way of life, including what he ate and how his body interacted with the environment.
More research will be needed to map the full range of microbes that lived in his gut.
The discovery also has cultural significance. The Zimapán man’s body was carefully wrapped in a funerary bundle, suggesting he was an important figure in his community. The outer layer was made of a woven maguey-fiber mat, while beneath it lay a finely crafted sheet of native brown cotton.
Researchers studying the intricate knots in the fabric believe the arrangement was mathematically complex, showing extraordinary skill. For nearly a decade, textile expert Luisa Mainauo and her team have been restoring the cotton sheet with hopes of eventually displaying it to the public.
Together, the biological and cultural findings offer a rare glimpse into the health, traditions, and craftsmanship of an ancient Mesoamerican community—showing how even microscopic bacteria can help tell the story of humanity’s past.
Source: Public Library of Science.
