Published in Science Advances, a large-scale genomic study of remains from the Bell Beaker culture (c. 2500–1800 BCE) has identified the first known evidence of human genetic adaptation to tuberculosis. By sequencing 45 individuals from burial sites across Central Europe, the team discovered a specific variant of the SLC11A1 gene that provides enhanced immune response to the pathogen. This suggests that sedentary, high-density living in the early Bronze Age had already begun to exert significant evolutionary pressure on human immune systems.
The research provides a vital link between the rise of animal husbandry and the evolution of zoonotic diseases. Paleopathologists found that while the disease was prevalent in these populations, the presence of this genetic marker allowed individuals to survive into adulthood, unlike earlier Neolithic groups. This study offers a new perspective on the biological resilience of ancient civilizations and how genetic adaptation shaped the success of early European urbanism.