The 40 Million-Year-Old Ecosystem In Your Mouth

The video explores the significance of dental calculus, a fossilized byproduct of oral microbes, in understanding human evolution. It highlights how dental calculus preserves microbial DNA, offering insights into ancient diets, migrations, and interactions with Neanderthals. The stability of core microbial taxa over millions of years and their adaptation to dietary changes, such as starch consumption, are discussed. The research underscores the intertwined evolutionary journey of humans and their microbiomes, revealing a rich history captured in the fossil record of our mouths.

How did the transition to a starchier diet affect the oral microbiome of our ancestors?

What evidence suggests that Neanderthals and modern humans shared similar oral microbiomes?

In what ways do the findings about dental calculus challenge our understanding of human evolution?