A new study in Nature Communications has revealed that ancient populations in the Atacama Desert developed genetic resistance to arsenic and other heavy metals over 6,000 years ago. By sequencing the genomes of remains found near ancient spring sites, researchers identified specific mutations in the AS3MT gene, which facilitates the detoxification of naturally occurring arsenic in the region's water supply.
This genetic analysis represents one of the earliest known examples of human evolution in response to environmental toxins. The research provides critical insights into how ancient civilizations thrived in extreme environments by adapting biologically to geological hazards that would be fatal to non-adapted populations.