MOSCOW, 17 Jun — RIA Novosti. Cholera, Spanish flu, smallpox, the plague — humanity is not the first time confronted with large-scale epidemic. Many write in the history books, but what if you look a little further? Do you know something about the epidemics of the stone age? As the ancient people cope with the disease?
Today, according to experts, actively conducts research to understand what infections have been infected by people of the stone age. Thanks paleogenetics, new data on the existence of plague in some ancient Eurasian societies in the period of transition from the stone age to the bronze age.
“for several years we conduct a systematic study of poorly documented Museum’s anthropological collections research Institute and Museum of anthropology of Moscow state University using the latest molecular methods: conduct radiocarbon Dating, stable isotope analysis for the reconstruction of the diet; the methods used radiology to assess bone morphology”, — commented Alexander bojilova.
She said that the employees of the Institute as part of the international team of scientists studied the presence of pathogens among the ancient inhabitants of Baikal region. Laboratory examination of the samples took place under the direction of Professor Johannes Krause at the max Planck Institute and published in the journal Cell.
“Absolutely unexpected for us was the positive result of the presence in two samples from the burial suburb Glazkovo (Irkutsk), the era of the early bronze age genome of Yersinia pestis — pathogen that causes plague. Analysis of strontium isotopes from one of individuals with the presence of the genome of Yersinia pestis showed his “non-native” origin. Moreover, discovered both individuals strain of Yersinia pestis was the closest to the strain of the same era, identified the individual from the Baltic States,” — said the expert.
recently, according to Oleksandra Bugrovoi, scientists have proved the existence of the plague in the end of the Neolithic on the territory Northwest Europe using DNA analysis.
“We are only at the beginning of this difficult and very exciting research,” concluded anthropologist.
In paleoanthropology, according to Oleksandra Bugrovoi, widely used morphological methods of analysis of skeletal and dental systems. These are the bones of the skeleton and teeth remain scientific source for the anthropologist, since they persist in the soil for many years.
“In recent decades anthropology developing scientific direction — paleopathology associated with the analysis of various pathologies of bones and teeth in the fossil (ancient) people. Based paleopathological research is the concept of transition of the organism from normal to pathological changes as PrisPOSELENIE of the organism to ensure its survival in conditions of painful disorders,” commented the scientist.
Some modern technology (mostly DNA analysis of pathogens), as told to Alexander Buzhilova, to discuss the presence of ancient people fleeting infections and the presence of specific malignant tumors.
Stone age, according to Oleksandra Bugrovoi least gives us more historical information about the lifestyle and dangers of the ancient people, because these sources has survived to the present day.
in addition, the expert said that scientists have for many years actively discussed the high professional level of trepanation — a surgical intervention with excision or drilling of the vault of the skull. In the era of the stone age (about 8-9 thousand years ago), there is a high percentage of survival after such operations, whereas much later, in the 15-16 century, the number of deaths have operated the Europeans was very high.
“Quite often we record the successful outcomes of healed injuries of a skull and bones of the skeleton hunters of the stone age. All of this suggests that the ancient people were able to be treated and to use all means available” — said the scientist.
health Problems faced by stone age people, according to the expert, is unlikely to threaten modern man. Today, doctors and scientists, a huge Arsenal of drugs, and measures to prevent and reduce infection.
“in recent months, we see how efficiently simple preventive measures”, — concluded Alexander bojilova.
