Ancient Fossil Molecules Reveal Climate, Diet, and Disease From Millions of Years Ago

Fossils reveal more than ancient shapes. They also preserve chemical traces from long-extinct animals. These molecules offer rare insights into health, diet, and climate. For the first time, scientists studied metabolism-related molecules in fossil bones. These fossils date back between 1.3 and 3 million years. As a result, researchers gained a new view of ancient life.

A New Way to Study Ancient Environments

The team focused on metabolites found in fossilized animal bones. Metabolites form during digestion and other body processes. Therefore, they can reflect diet, disease, and surroundings. The findings appeared in Nature. They show that ancient landscapes were warmer and wetter than today. In addition, they reveal details about soil, rainfall, and plant life. Scientists often study ancient DNA to trace evolution. However, DNA rarely explains health or environment. Metabolites fill that gap. Modern medicine already uses metabolomics. Until now, fossil research rarely applied this method. This study changes that approach.

Researchers Tested Fossil Bones

Researchers first tested modern mouse bones. They identified nearly 2,200 metabolites. They also confirmed preserved collagen in some samples. Next, they examined fossils from Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa. These sites once hosted early humans. The team studied rodents, antelope, pigs, and elephants. The results were striking. Fossil bones contained thousands of metabolites. Many matched those found in living animals. Some metabolites revealed normal body functions. Others pointed to sex-specific hormones.

Therefore, scientists identified female animals in the samples. One fossil revealed a surprise. A 1.8-million-year-old ground squirrel showed signs of a parasite. This parasite still causes sleeping sickness today.

Reconstructing Ancient Landscapes

Plant metabolites also told a story. For example, traces of aloe and asparagus appeared in the bones. This shows what the animals ate.Because these plants need specific conditions, scientists reconstructed past climates. Overall, the regions were wetter and warmer than today. This approach opens new doors in fossil research. Scientists can now study ancient ecosystems in fine detail. As a result, fossils speak louder than ever before.