Using DNA to Understand Ancient People's Health

Scientists are realizing that understanding our ancestors' health may be the key to treating modern diseases. By analyzing DNA from Bronze Age skeletons, researchers are able to gain insights into the challenges our ancestors faced and the genes they carried. This new field of science, known as evolutionary medicine, has the potential to revolutionize treatments for devastating diseases with no current cure. By studying the genomes of ancient organisms, including humans and extinct species like Neanderthals, scientists can piece together the big picture of how our ancestors lived and identify specific genetic mutations associated with certain traits and diseases. These discoveries help us better understand the history of diseases and how they have evolved over time, uncovering potential breakthroughs for treatments.