In-Depth Archaeological Analysis
Ancient DNA analyses conducted on an approximately 700-year-old mummy discovered in Bolivia have provided the oldest confirmed evidence of the presence of Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacterium responsible for strep throat and scarlet fever, in the Americas prior to Spanish colonization. This discovery sheds light on a long-standing debate, adding new data to the question of whether certain diseases arrived in the New World exclusively with Europeans [1]. The mummy was naturally preserved in the arid regions of eastern Bolivia, within the Andes Mountains. This area was inhabited by settled communities during the pre-Hispanic period. Researchers focused on pathogen genomes isolated from ancient DNA extracted from the mummy's dental enamel. This methodology is increasingly utilized to investigate the prehistoric origins of infections that remain prevalent today [2]. Streptococcus pyogenes is a common human pathogen today and can cause throat infections, particularly in children. Scarlet fever is a complication that develops from toxins produced by certain strains of this bacterium. The pre-1492 presence of this bacterium in the Americas had not been directly demonstrated in previous archaeological and paleopathological studies. The new research provides the first genomic evidence to fill this gap [1]. However, researchers specifically emphasize that this finding does not yield definitive conclusions regarding the prevalence or lethality of the disease. It remains unknown whether the bacterial strain detected in the mummy caused illness or was directly related to the individual's cause of death. Furthermore, additional ancient samples are required to fully understand the evolutionary relationship between this genome and modern strains [1]. The study was conducted by a team involving the Eurac Research Institute in Italy and international partners. The findings were shared in a manuscript currently under peer review and prepared for publication in Nature Communications [1]. Consequently, certain details may undergo minor revisions in the final publication.
Key Findings
- Ancient DNA of the Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium was identified in a 700-year-old Bolivian mummy.
- This represents the oldest confirmed evidence of the pre-Hispanic presence of the strep throat and scarlet fever pathogen in the Americas.
- The analysis was performed on ancient DNA samples extracted from the mummy's dental enamel.
- The findings are featured in a study prepared for publication in Nature Communications [1].
- It has not yet been confirmed whether the mummy died from the disease or exhibited symptoms.
Historical Context
Streptococcus pyogenes is a well-defined pathogen in modern medicine, but its prehistoric distribution remained uncertain for a long time. In the Americas, the impact of "new" diseases introduced alongside Europeans led to the widespread decimation of indigenous populations. In this context, understanding whether certain diseases already existed in the New World is of critical importance for both medical and demographic history [2]. In previous years, paleopathological examinations of other mummies from Bolivia had revealed indirect evidence, such as bone lesions indicative of respiratory infections. However, this study marks the first time a pathogen genome was directly isolated and identified. This demonstrates the new dimension that ancient DNA technology brings to archaeological inquiries [1].
Similar Discoveries
- Coccidioides infection in a 13th-century Bolivian mummy: Bone analyses were conducted on another mummy from the same region due to suspected fungal lung infection (Coccidioidomycosis). This provides additional evidence for the presence of respiratory diseases among pre-Hispanic communities in the Andean region [3].
Archaeologist's Note
This study not only documents the prehistoric presence of a pathogen, but also provides critical data that challenges Eurocentric narratives in medical history. Understanding the evolutionary origins of currently widespread bacteria like Streptococcus pyogenes may enable us to reassess the history of epidemics and human-microbe interactions. However, as this is a single case, no generalizations can be made regarding how prevalent or virulent the bacterium was during that period [1].