<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Researchers from University of Copenhagen in Denmark have succeeded in extracting a complete human genome from 5,700 year old type of "chewing gum", allowing them to recreate the image of its user and find clues to her dietary habits.<\/p>\n
Based on ancient human genome, researchers could tell that the "chewing gum" made from birch pitch was chewed by a woman.<\/p>\n
She was genetically more closely related to hunter gatherers from mainland Europe than to those who lived in central Scandinavia at that time, according to a study published in journal Nature Communications.<\/p>\n
They also found that she probably had dark skin, dark hair and blue eyes.<\/p>\n
"It’s amazing to have retrieved a complete ancient human genome from anything other than bone," said lead researcher Hannes Schroeder, Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen.<\/p>\n
"What’s more, we also retrieved DNA from oral microbes and several important human pathogens, which makes this a very valuable source of ancient DNA, especially for time where we have no human remains," Schroeder said.<\/p>\n
The birch pitch was found during archaeological excavations at Syltholm on island of Lolland, Denmark.<\/p>\n
The researchers also identified traces of plant and animal DNA in the pitch, specifically hazelnuts and duck, which may have been part of the individual’s diet.<\/p>\n
They also succeeded in extracting DNA from several oral microbiota from the pitch, including many commensally species and opportunistic pathogens.<\/p>\n
"The preservation is incredibly good, and we managed to extract many different bacterial species that are characteristic of an oral microbiome. Our ancestors lived in a different environment and had a different lifestyle and diet. It’s, therefore, interesting to find how this is reflected in their microbiome," said Schroeder. \t (IANS)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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