A groundbreaking paleogenomic study published in Nature News has identified a unique genetic signature in the remains of 8,500-year-old individuals from the Tapajos River basin. Researchers from the Institute of Anthropological Genetics discovered specific markers linked to metabolic efficiency and environmental manipulation, suggesting that ancient Amazonian populations were genetically adapting to the intensive management of Terra Preta (Amazonian Dark Earth).
The study provides the first evidence that the creation of carbon-rich, fertile soils was not merely a cultural practice but a long-term evolutionary driver. By analyzing the gut microbiome signatures preserved in dental calculus alongside host DNA, the team revealed a complex symbiotic relationship between early foragers and the nutrient-dense anthropogenic landscapes they created, predating large-scale agriculture by millennia.