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Parasites as probes for prehistoric human migrations?
Adauto Araujo1, Karl J Reinhard, Luiz Fernando Ferreira
1Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/Escola Nacional de Saude Publica; Rua Leopoldo Bulhoes 1480, Rio de Janeiro 2104-210, RJ, Brazil.
Trends in Parasitology
|February 12, 2008
Summary
Archaeoparasitology reveals ancient human migration into the Americas occurred at least twice. Intestinal parasites suggest coastal or trans-oceanic routes, not solely the Bering Land Bridge.
Area of Science:
- Paleoparasitology
- Human Migration Studies
- Archaeology
Background:
- Host-specific parasites serve as valuable markers for tracing ancient human population movements.
- Archaeoparasitological evidence indicates multiple ancient entries into the Americas.
- Intestinal parasites found in the New World challenge the sole reliance on the Bering Land Bridge model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ancient human migration routes into the Americas using archaeoparasitological data.
- To evaluate the role of intestinal parasites in understanding migration pathways.
- To present evidence supporting trans-oceanic or coastal migration models.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of published archaeoparasitological data from pre-Columbian sites in North and South America.
- Examination of helminthic parasite findings (e.g., hookworms, whipworms) in human mummies and coprolites.
- Assessment of parasite life-cycle requirements in relation to paleo-climatic conditions of migration routes.
Main Results:
- Helminthic parasites, such as hookworms (Necator and Ancylostoma) and whipworms (Trichuris trichiura), have been identified in ancient human remains.
- The survival requirements of these helminths are incompatible with the hypothesized cold climate of the Bering Land Bridge.
- Parasite data suggests that some human groups likely lost intestinal parasites during Beringia crossing.
Conclusions:
- Ancient human entry into the Americas occurred via multiple migration events.
- The presence and survival needs of certain helminths support migration routes distinct from the Bering Land Bridge.
- Coastal or trans-oceanic migration models offer a plausible explanation for the observed archaeoparasitological evidence.
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