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Did Ancient Africans use antibiotics?
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Ancient Nubians made and drank tetracycline laced beer making them the first to discover the powerful effects of antibiotics against bacterial infections.
Tetracycline is an antibiotic that is made from Streptomyces bacteria (a soil type of bacteria), "discovered" by Benjamin Minge Duggar in 1948.
When Tetracycline is used it binds to calcium and so is deposited in the bones and can be visualised under ultraviolet light.
George Armelagos, a professor of anthropology, was studying bones (modern bones) and found that under ultraviolet light, a fluorescent yellow-green band appeared on the bones.
This spectacle is known to be evidence of exposure to tetracycline among modern people.
A few years later, a graduate student of Armelagos saw the same fluorescent band on bones from the ancient Nubians. That's when Armelagos realized he had seen what could be evidence of ancient antibiotic use.
"My heart stopped," said Armelagos. "It's like if you were unwrapping a mummy and you saw Ray-Ban sunglasses."
Initial reports of ancient tetracycline use were met with scepticism and it was suggested that the tetracycline in the bones had been produced as the result of deterioration by soil bacteria and fungi - post mortem.
In order to prove the presence of the antibiotic prior to death, a separate set of Nubian bones (Researchers chose to test bones in an excellent state of preservation, possessing no visual evidence of bacterial or fungal contamination either on the surface or internally) were retested with the an further aim of showing the concentrations of the antibiotic proved and pointed to deliberate ingestion.
This was achieved by extracting and isolating the bone-complexed tetracycline and then chemically characterising it using high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy.
The concentration of tetracycline detected in the bone samples suggests that these mixtures were produced deliberately using active culture or previous fermentation broth. For example, the tibia and skull belonging to a four-year-old were found to be saturated with tetracycline, suggesting that they may have been giving high doses to the child to try to cure an illness.
As a final test To ensure that making of antibiotic beer was possible at time, Armelagos and his students attempted their own beer. According to Armelagos "My students said that it was 'not bad,' but it is like a sour porridge substance. The ancient people would have drained the liquid off and also eaten the gruel."
It was found Streptomyces produces a golden-colored bacterial colony that would have floated on top of the beer and likely encouraged its propagation.
Gold was revered by the ancient cultures futher validating that the antibiotic's presence in the brew was intentional.
The researchers think that this ancient Nubian population was skilled in the science of fermentation and that they could have produced gruels or beer fermentations containing Streptomyces or other bacterial species that imparted pharmacological effects.
Armelagos hopes this find might also help explain why animals have been found with antibiotic resistance in Northern Africa where there is no previous evidence of antibiotics being used It is now accepted that the ancient Nubian population was skilled in the science of fermentation and that they could have produced gruels or beer fermentations containing Streptomyces or other bacterial species that imparted pharmacological effects.
When, how and why the antibiotic beer making disappeared remains a mystery however it is not the first technology to disappear with the disappearance of cultures. Researchers are now continuing to look for the antibiotic in the bones of different cultures.
References
https://www.wired.com/2010/09/antibiotic-beer/ https://www.livescience.com/11028-ancient-african-cocktail-beer-shot-antibiotic.html
Some Historical Notes on Chlortetracycline: Thomas H. Jukes 1985 Birkhäuser Basel, 2002
Our Standard Review
Date created: 16 Aug 2024 06:05:09
Critical Evaluation:
The article presents a fascinating claim about ancient Nubians being the first to discover the effects of antibiotics through their beer-making practices. The argument is intriguing and supported by evidence from anthropological studies, particularly the work of George Armelagos. The reasoning is generally clear, as it outlines the process of how tetracycline was detected in ancient bones and the subsequent experiments conducted to validate these findings. However, the article could strengthen its argument by addressing the initial skepticism more thoroughly, explaining why some researchers doubted the findings and how those doubts were overcome.
While the article does not exhibit overt bias, it leans towards a celebratory tone regarding the ancient Nubians' knowledge. This could be seen as a form of bias if it overlooks alternative explanations for the findings. The implications of this discovery are significant, suggesting that ancient cultures had advanced knowledge of fermentation and its potential health benefits, which could reshape our understanding of historical medical practices.
Quality of Information:
The language used in the article is mostly accessible, although some technical terms, such as "high pressure liquid chromatography" and "mass spectroscopy," may require further explanation for a lay audience. These terms refer to scientific methods used to separate and identify compounds in a mixture. The information appears accurate and reliable, with references to credible research and findings.
There are no apparent signs of fake news or logical fallacies, but the article could benefit from a more balanced presentation of the evidence. It primarily focuses on the positive aspects of the findings without sufficiently addressing potential counterarguments or alternative explanations. The article does introduce new ideas about ancient practices but does not deeply engage with existing literature on the topic, which could enhance its contribution to the field.
Use of Evidence and References:
The article references the work of George Armelagos and his students, which provides a solid foundation for the claims made. However, it lacks a diverse range of sources to support its assertions. While it mentions the skepticism surrounding the initial findings, it does not provide specific citations or examples of opposing viewpoints, which could enrich the discussion. More evidence from other researchers or historical texts could help fill these gaps and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Further Research and References:
Further research could explore the following areas:
- The specific fermentation techniques used by ancient Nubians and their potential health benefits.
- Comparative studies of antibiotic use in other ancient cultures.
- The impact of ancient knowledge on modern practices in fermentation and medicine.
Readers may find it useful to explore literature on the history of antibiotics and fermentation, as well as studies on ancient medical practices.
Questions for Further Research:
- What specific fermentation techniques did ancient Nubians use to create antibiotic beer?
- How did the knowledge of antibiotic properties influence other ancient cultures?
- What are the potential health implications of consuming tetracycline-laced beer?
- How does the discovery of antibiotic use in ancient Nubia compare to other historical findings?
- What evidence exists regarding the decline of antibiotic beer-making practices?
- How did the ancient Nubians' understanding of fermentation compare to modern scientific knowledge?
- What role did environmental factors play in the development of antibiotic resistance in ancient populations?
- Are there any archaeological findings that support the existence of similar practices in other regions?
- How might this discovery influence current research on natural antibiotics?
- What ethical considerations arise from the study of ancient medical practices in modern contexts?
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Contributor's Box
Reconnect Africa with its people.
A (somewhat) summarised insight into (mostly) pre-colonial African history 🖤