THE ICEMAN (NOVA)
Found frozen high in the Alps for and estimated 5,000 years, the Ice Man was said to be murdered, and to be infected with Borrelia.
“Because the procedure was so meticulous, the D.N.A.extracted is remarkably pure; 97 percent is ötzi's. But there is a mysterious three percent that clearly does not belong to him.
Found frozen high in the Alps for and estimated 5,000 years, the Ice Man was said to be murdered, and to be infected with Borrelia.
“Because the procedure was so meticulous, the D.N.A.extracted is remarkably pure; 97 percent is ötzi's. But there is a mysterious three percent that clearly does not belong to him.
TIM HARKINS: We found an interesting surprise when we looked at this
contamination; a significant portion of the contamination was actually
attributable to a microbe that causes Lyme disease.
NARRATOR: Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria, spread to humans by ticks. Untreated, its symptoms can include muscle weakness and serious swelling of the joints and arthritis. While Lyme disease is common today, the microbial D.N.A.contained within ítzi's genes is proof that the disease is at least as old as the Stone Age. It is the oldest trace of Lyme disease ever identified.”
NARRATOR: Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria, spread to humans by ticks. Untreated, its symptoms can include muscle weakness and serious swelling of the joints and arthritis. While Lyme disease is common today, the microbial D.N.A.contained within ítzi's genes is proof that the disease is at least as old as the Stone Age. It is the oldest trace of Lyme disease ever identified.”
