Genome analysis reveals malaria resistance in ancient Eastern Arabia

The national news
Feb 29, 2024

Genome analysis reveals malaria resistance in ancient Eastern Arabia


Some people living in ancient Eastern Arabia developed resistance to malaria about 5,000 years ago, a study has found.

The adaptation is believed to have coincided with the introduction of agriculture in the region, a period that possibly fostered conditions conducive for the spread of malaria.

The study, led by Dr Rui Martiniano from Liverpool John Moores University, delved into the DNA analysis of the remains of four people from the Tylos period in Bahrain, who lived between 300BC and 600AD.