In a scientific breakthrough with profound historical implications, a mud brick dating back 2,900 years has unveiled a genetic treasure trove through the revelation of ancient DNA. This discovery has the potential to reshape our understanding of long-lost ecosystems, offering a captivating glimpse into India’s biodiversity of eras past.
Published in the prestigious journal Nature Scientific Reports, this study signifies a pivotal moment in scientific inquiry. Researchers from the esteemed University of Oxford embarked on an ambitious project, driven by the desire to bridge the knowledge gap regarding historical biodiversity.
The mud brick’s origin can be traced to Nimrud, an ancient city in what is now Iraq, where it was unearthed over seven decades ago. Adorned with a cuneiform inscription linking it to the palace of Ashurnasirpal, the brick’s precise historical context places it within the reign between 883 and 859 B.C., a staggering three millennia ago.
The unforeseen opportunity to extract ancient DNA emerged during a routine digital scan in 2020 when the brick accidentally fractured. This serendipitous event paved the way for Troels Pank Arbøll, an Assyriologist from the University of Copenhagen, and a co-author of the study, to lead the endeavor. The team deftly collected samples from the exposed clay surface and harnessed a specialized protocol to extract DNA from the porous material.
The subsequent DNA sequencing brought to light genetic material from an astonishing 34 distinct plant groups that once flourished in the clay. Among the revelations were plant species related to cabbages, heathers, birches, laurels, and grasses. Notably, the prominence of cabbages raises intriguing questions, as historical records contain no mention of Assyrians consuming this vegetable during that era. This enigma invites speculation about whether this particular cabbage variant was uncultivated or undocumented in extant texts.
Beyond shedding light on plant DNA, traces of ancient animal DNA were also detected within the samples. This discovery hints at the broader potential for understanding the ecosystems and interactions of bygone eras.
Amid the excitement surrounding this breakthrough, cautionary voices like Peter Heintzman, a palaeogeneticist from Stockholm University, underscore the importance of ensuring authenticity amidst the risk of contamination from modern sources. Despite rigorous efforts to prevent contamination during lab procedures, inherent contamination within the porous mud brick remains a consideration.
Logan Kistler, a respected curator specializing in archaeobotany and archaeogenomics at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, acknowledges the study’s significance while emphasizing the necessity of validating the DNA fragments’ authenticity. He remains optimistic about the role of such pioneering sources as “genetic time capsules” in shedding light on vanished cultures and environments.
WildCRU #research fellow Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen was part of a team that recently extracted ancient #DNA from a 2,900 year old clay brick – revealing an amazing time capsule of #plant life from between 879 and 869 BCE. https://t.co/v9HR5dK9Wi pic.twitter.com/8GQxpMFcn2
— WildCRU, Oxford (@WildCRU_Ox) August 22, 2023
This study ushers in a new era of exploration into ancient landscapes and biodiversity, with clay emerging as an unanticipated yet invaluable tool for genetic insights. As technology advances and methodologies refine, the mysteries enfolded within these mud bricks hold the promise of constructing a more comprehensive narrative of India’s ecological heritage.
As the scientific community delves deeper into this untapped resource, the 2,900-year-old mud brick stands as a testament to the power of scientific curiosity, connecting the past and present in unprecedented ways. The study serves as a beacon of innovation, illuminating our journey to uncover the untold stories etched in the genetic code of ancient times.
