Preliminary findings on the paleomicrobiological study of 400 naturally mummified human remains from Upper Nubia

Abstract

We present 400 mummies excavated from two early Christian burial sites at Kulubnarti, between the 2nd and 3rd cataracts of the Nile in Northern Sudan, prior to the flooding caused by the Aswan Dam. One site was on an island in the Nile dated from 550-750 AD. The other was on the Nile western bank and was in use from c.750-1500 AD. Due to the exceptionally dry climate many of the remains were naturally mummified. Analysis of diet, via chemical examination of hair and of coprolites, had indicated possible deficiencies in vitamins B6, B12, folacin and vitamin C, suggesting iron deficiency. The presence of criba orbitalia, a pathological lesion of the roof of the eye socket (orbit), also suggests iron deficiency anaemia but may also be caused by inflammation. Anaemia is found in several infectious diseases, and severe iron deficiency increases susceptibility to disease. Tuberculosis was widespread in ancient and Roman Egypt, and there was historical contact with Upper Nubia via the Nile. The presence of Acacia pollen in coprolites suggested the possibility of leishmaniasis, as these trees are the habitat of the sand fly vector of the protozoan pathogen. The area is known today for the many infectious diseases afflicting its inhabitants, but were these present in antiquity? We have, therefore, undertaken a study of diseases in Kulubnarti. Initially we looked for evidence of tuberculosis and leishmaniasis. We anticipate shortly broadening the search to include brucellosis, malaria, hepatitis and West Nile fever viruses. Schistosomasis was considered but at this level the Nile flows swiftly and the intermediate host snail is not present so was at present not ocnsidered. Ribs were examined for Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA, using nested PCR targeting a123 bp sequence on the repetitive element IS6110. Material from the heads of the long bones, possible bone marrow, was examined for Leishmania species using a PCR which amplifies a 119 bp-conserved region of the minicircle kinetoplast DNA. Initial results indicate that M. tuberculosis and Leishmania sp were present in both populations.