Ötzi’s microbes survive millennia, reshaping view of ancient microbiomes

DNA analysis of Ötzi the Iceman’s 5,300-year-old remains shows ancient fungi and gut bacteria still alive, with cold-adapted species likely colonizing his body and possibly slowly multiplying in tiny pockets of mummy moisture; some microbes are extremely rare in modern industrialized populations, suggesting a distinct Alpine microbiome. The findings highlight microbial longevity in frozen remains and raise considerations for preservation and our understanding of ancient ecosystems.