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Living Yeasts and Ancient Gut Bacteria Detected on Ötzi the Iceman

Published June 3, 2026, the study warns microbial growth may be ongoing, prompting calls for genomic surveillance or changes to preservation conditions.

A researcher examines the mummified remains of Otzi, a man whose body was preserved in glacial ice for more than 5,300 years, in a conservation chamber at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy, in this undated photograph. South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology/Eurac Research/Marion Lafogler/Handout via REUTERS
A researcher examines the foot of the naturally mummified remains of Otzi, a man whose body was preserved in glacial ice for more than 5,300 years, in a refrigeration chamber at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy, in this undated photograph. South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology/Eurac Research/Marion Lafogler/Handout via REUTERS
Image
A researcher examines the hand of the naturally mummified remains of Otzi, a man whose body was preserved in glacial ice for more than 5,300 years, in a refrigeration chamber at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy, in this undated photograph. South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology/Eurac Research/Marion Lafogler/Handout via REUTERS

Overview

  • A peer-reviewed paper published June 3, 2026 reports researchers cultured four cold-adapted yeast genera from Ötzi’s body — Phenoliferia, Glaciozyma, Goffeauzyma and Mrakia — and grew living colonies in the lab.
  • The team recovered DNA signatures of specialist gut bacteria such as Treponema and Kineothrix from internal tissues, evidence that parts of Ötzi’s gut microbiome likely date to his life 5,300 years ago.
  • Comparing samples from 2010 and 2019, the study found Glaciozyma rose in relative abundance and showed reduced DNA damage, a pattern the authors say could reflect recent replication but requires RNA or metabolite data to confirm active metabolism.
  • Some microbes carry genes for phenol degradation consistent with the phenol treatments applied in the 1990s, and researchers say this history plus museum humidity and handling may have shaped Ötzi’s current microbial community.
  • The authors recommend ongoing genomic, RNA and metabolite monitoring and review of storage protocols to guard against slow microbial activity, and note the finds also offer new windows into Copper Age human gut microbes and possible biotechnological uses.