Palaeometabolomes yield biological and ecological profiles at early human sites.

ABSTRACT: The science of metabolic profiling exploits chemical compound byproducts of metabolism called metabolites¹ that explain internal biological functions, physiological health and disease, and provide evidence of external influences specific to an organism's habitat. Here we assess palaeometabolomes from fossilized mammalian hard tissues as a molecular ecological strategy to provide evidence of an ancient organism's relationship with its environment. From eastern, central and southern African Plio-Pleistocene localities of palaeoanthropological significance, we study six fossils from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, one from the Chiwondo Beds, Malawi, and one from Makapansgat, South Africa. We perform endogeneity assessments by analysing palaeometabolomes of palaeosols and the effects of ow

SUBMITTER: Bromage TG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12851940 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature