Evolution of the Microbiome – Comparing the Ancestral and Modern Microbiome

We now understand that it’s not just a question of living in a rural versus a urban environment, but we have actually changed our gut bacteria in going from ancient times to more modern times. We now have the tools at our disposal to be able to look at the makeup of the microbiome based on analysis of fossilized stool samples. In a recent study the stool of humans from thousands of years ago was analyzed and it was determined that the microbiomes of our rural ancestors more closely resembles that of modern rural humans as opposed to urban dwellers.