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February 28, 2024
A groundbreaking study conducted by an international team of researchers has uncovered evidence suggesting that ancient populations in Eastern Arabia developed resistance to malaria around five thousand years ago following the advent of agriculture in the region.
The study, published in Cell Genomics, analyzed DNA extracted from the remains of four individuals from Tylos-period Bahrain, providing the first ancient genomes from Eastern Arabia. The findings shed light on the genetic ancestry of ancient populations in the region and their adaptation to malaria.
Researchers discovered the presence of the malaria-protective G6PD Mediterranean mutation in three of the samples, indicating that many ancient inhabitants of Eastern Arabia may have had inherent protection against malaria. This mutation is currently found at its peak frequency in present-day populations in the Emirates.
Lead researcher Rui Martiniano from Liverpool John Moores University explained, “Our estimates suggest that the G6PD Mediterranean mutation emerged around five-to-six thousand years ago, coinciding with the rise of agriculture in the region. This would have created favorable conditions for the spread of malaria.”
The study also revealed insights into the genetic ancestry of Tylos-period Bahrainis, showing genetic affinities with ancient groups from Anatolia, the Levant, and Caucasus/Iran. Surprisingly, the individuals were genetically closer to present-day populations from the Levant and Iraq than to Arabians.
Marc Haber from the University of Birmingham Dubai emphasized the significance of the findings, stating, “By obtaining the first ancient genomes from Eastern Arabia, we provide unprecedented insights into human history and disease progression in this region. This knowledge has implications for understanding disease susceptibility, spread, and treatment.”
Fatima Aloraifi from the Mersey and West Lancashire NHS Trust highlighted the importance of the study in shedding light on the population history of Arabia and the adaptation to malaria in the region.
Salman Almahari, Director of Antiquities and Museums at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, expressed optimism about future research opportunities enabled by the study’s findings.
The analysis of ancient human remains from Bahrain National Museum’s archaeological collections provided crucial insights into the genetic composition of pre-Islamic inhabitants of Eastern Arabia. Despite challenges in DNA preservation, researchers were able to sequence genomes from four individuals, offering a unique glimpse into the region’s past.
Richard Durbin from the University of Cambridge, who supervised the project, hailed the significance of analyzing ancient human genetic data from Bahrain’s burial mounds and thanked colleagues for their support.
The study’s findings align with archaeological and textual evidence indicating the historical endemicity of malaria in Eastern Arabia, providing a deeper understanding of the region’s ancient populations and their interactions with neighboring regions.
