Topic ID #8504 - posted 9/2/2010 3:36 AM
Jennifer Palmer
Webmaster
Discovery Ages Antibiotics 2,000 Years
Jennifer Palmer
Webmaster
Discovery Ages Antibiotics 2,000 Years
September 1, 2010
Green fluorescence in Nubian skeletons indicated tetracycline-labeled bone, the first clue that the ancients were producing the antibiotic.
A chemical analysis of the bones of ancient Nubians showed they were regularly consuming tetracycline, most likely in their beer.
The finding is the strongest evidence yet that the art of making antibiotics, which officially dates to the discovery of penicillin in 1928, was common practice nearly 2,000 years ago.
The research, led by Emory anthropologist George Armelagos and medicinal chemist Mark Nelson of Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.
“We tend to associate drugs that cure diseases with modern medicine,” Armelagos says. “But it’s becoming increasingly clear that this prehistoric population was using empirical evidence to develop therapeutic agents. I have no doubt that they knew what they were doing.”
Read the rest here.
September 1, 2010
Green fluorescence in Nubian skeletons indicated tetracycline-labeled bone, the first clue that the ancients were producing the antibiotic.
A chemical analysis of the bones of ancient Nubians showed they were regularly consuming tetracycline, most likely in their beer.
The finding is the strongest evidence yet that the art of making antibiotics, which officially dates to the discovery of penicillin in 1928, was common practice nearly 2,000 years ago.
The research, led by Emory anthropologist George Armelagos and medicinal chemist Mark Nelson of Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.
“We tend to associate drugs that cure diseases with modern medicine,” Armelagos says. “But it’s becoming increasingly clear that this prehistoric population was using empirical evidence to develop therapeutic agents. I have no doubt that they knew what they were doing.”
Read the rest here.
Post ID#18096 - replied 9/2/2010 7:10 AM
Dmack89
neat story - but you have to wonder if the Tetracyclene was just in the beer - a natural, accidental by-product- which was made for other purposes, or if it was done intentionally as the article seems to suggest.
The article also seems to suggest that the concept that ancient peoples had pharmacological knowledge is a rather new idea, but we know from many early accounts of encounters with aboriginal folks around the world that they had very ancient knowledge of what natural remedies existed and what they worked for - even if they had no understanding of exactly why. (thus drinking beer is good for your health.... not - lets make beer this way to cure specific issues). I suppose that is a question we may never be able to answer - sort of the chicken and egg question.
Post ID#18106 - replied 9/2/2010 5:29 PM
StarRider
Tetracyclene making its way into the beer-making process would be pretty much expected, with the ancient technique of fermenting bread to make it. Signs of tetracyclene ingestion have been found not only in Nubian remains, but several other cultures as well, including the Egyptians. If they were including it on purpose it raises some tangental issues; tetracyclene isn't recomended for infants and pregnant women, because of issues with bone development. It also raises the issue of resistant strains of disease developing, so that universal use of an antibiotic could actually be detrimental to the health of the population as a whole.
It is undeniable that many prehistoric cultures had knowledge of the pharmaceutical effects of some substances. The beer may have ameliorated symptoms of a common ailment and the benefits noticed; they wouldn't have had to know why. just that it did.
It is undeniable that many prehistoric cultures had knowledge of the pharmaceutical effects of some substances. The beer may have ameliorated symptoms of a common ailment and the benefits noticed; they wouldn't have had to know why. just that it did.
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