A large-scale genomic study of Pleistocene hunter-gatherers from the Zambezi Basin in southern Africa has identified a unique genetic marker linked to the digestion of high-tannin aquatic vegetation. The analysis of 15,000-year-old remains reveals that these populations developed a specialized enzymatic pathway that neutralized the toxic effects of certain water lilies and tubers, which were a primary food source during seasonal droughts. This is the first evidence of such a specific dietary genetic adaptation in early African foragers.
The study also traces the dispersal of this genetic signature into modern populations, providing a new map for the pre-agricultural migration of diverse lineages within the continent. The researchers utilized paleo-proteomic analysis of dental calculus to confirm the presence of specific proteins that facilitated the breakdown of complex tannins. This research underscores the role of environmental toxins in shaping the human genome during the late Pleistocene, highlighting the extreme adaptability of early human lineages.