Farming vs. Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyles Impact on Health Stone Age Study Reveals Prevalence of Bacterial Diseases . Credit: scitechdaily.com

The idea of living in close proximity without access to antibiotics may seem like a terrifying prospect. However, throughout much of our history and prehistory, this was the reality. A recently published international study, led by the Centre for Palaeogenetics in Stockholm, delves into the world of microbes during the Stone Age in Scandinavia.

The study uncovers a variety of different microbes, including those that are expected to be present in a healthy person, as well as those that may have caused pain and illness. Among these are Neisseria meningitidis, which can be transmitted through close contact such as kissing, Yersinia enterocolitica, commonly acquired through contaminated food and water, and Salmonella enterica, a frequent cause of food poisoning today.

Nora Bergfeldt, from the Department of Zoology at Stockholm University, who is researching bacterial diseases in prehistoric societies, explains, "The case of Salmonella enterica demonstrates the challenges faced during this time. In a burial site from the Battle Axe culture in Linköping, we found two individuals who were infected. It is possible that their deaths were a result of this infection."

The study examined 38 individuals from both farming and hunter-gatherer contexts, ranging in age from 9500 to 4500 years old. By analyzing the genetic material of bacteria and viruses, the researchers were able to trace the presence of bacterial diseases during the Scandinavian Stone Age. This transition from a hunting and gathering lifestyle to farming was of particular interest, as it may have had an impact on the prevalence of bacterial diseases.

Helena Malmström, from the Human Evolution Program at Uppsala University, explains, "We know when people began farming in Scandinavia, but we still do not fully understand how this change in lifestyle affected their overall health."

Anders Götherström, who oversaw the research project, notes, "As people interacted more closely through farming, the potential for spreading infections increased. Although we did find evidence of potentially devastating diseases such as Yersinia pestis, it was the food-borne infections that were most prevalent across both lifestyles in this study."

This groundbreaking study sheds light on a previously unexplored aspect of prehistoric societies and has the potential to open up new avenues of research. As Götherström concludes, "It is truly remarkable to be able to gain insight into a part of history that was previously inaccessible to us."

Alton Shaffer
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