Viruses in a 14th-century coprolite.

Area of Science:

• Paleovirology
• Microbial Ecology
• Ancient DNA Analysis

Background:

• Coprolites offer insights into ancient gut and environmental microbiomes.
• Viral metagenomics enables characterization of viral diversity in various specimens.
• The viral diversity within fossil remains remains largely unexplored.

Observation:

• A 14th-century coprolite from a Belgian Middle Ages site was analyzed using electron microscopy and metagenomics.
• Viruses infecting eukaryotes, bacteria, and archaea were detected in the ancient fecal material.
• Specific viral presence was confirmed using ad hoc suicide PCR.

Findings:

• The viral DNA metagenome was dominated by sequences homologous to phages found in modern stools and soil.
• Despite differences in phylogenetic composition, viral metabolic functions were conserved over centuries.
• Antibiotic resistance was identified as a reconstructed metabolic function within the ancient viral community.

Implications:

• This study provides a glimpse into the ancient virome and its evolution.
• Understanding ancient viral communities can inform microbiome research and historical epidemiology.
• The detection of antibiotic resistance genes in ancient viruses highlights the long history of these genetic elements.