Abstract
In order to define the diversity and composition of the microbial communities colonizing of the soil microbiome of the Jinsha earthen relic, we used high-throughput sequencing technology to identify and characterize the microbiota in 22 samples collected from the Jinsha earthen relic in China during 2017 and 2018. We compared the taxonomy of the microbial communities from samples taken at different times and different sites. Our results showed that the identity of the dominant bacterial phyla differed among the samples. Proteobacteria (23-86.2%) were the predominant bacterial phylum in all samples taken from site A in both 2017 and 2018. However, Actinobacteria (21-92.3%) were the most popular bacterial phylum in samples from sites B and C in 2017 and 2018. Ascomycota were identified as the only fungal phyla in samples in 2017. However, the group varied drastically in relative abundance between 2017 and 2018. Functional analysis of the soil bacterial community suggested that abundant members of the microbiota may be associated with metabolism and the specific environment. This report was the first high-throughput sequencing study of the soil of the Jinsha earthen relic microbiome. Since soil microbiota can damage soil and archeological structures, comprehensive analyses of the microbiomes at archeological sites may contribute to the understand of the influence of microorganisms on the degradation of soil, as well as to the identification of potentially beneficial or undesirable members of these microbial communities in archeological sites. The study will be helpful to provide effective data and guidance for the prevention and control of microbial corrosion of the Jinsha earthen relic.
Highlights
The Jinsha Site, located on the Chengdu Plain, 30 ̊410 N, 104 ̊00 E in China, was built on the original location discovered in 2001
Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were the most prevalent components of the bacterial community identified in the soil from the Jinsha earthen relic, which were consistent with the findings of Li et al [4]
The diversity and structure of the microbial community in soil samples taken from the Jinsha earthen site were analyzed and compared
Summary
The Jinsha Site, located on the Chengdu Plain, 30 ̊410 N, 104 ̊00 E in China, was built on the original location discovered in 2001. The Jinsha earthen relic is recognized as the most important archaeological discovery made in China during the early 21st Century [1, 2]. Important ruins uncovered at the Jinsha Site include large-scale architectural foundations, common households and large-scale tombs [1, 2]. Over 5,000 relics made from gold, bronze, jade, stone, ivory and lacquerware have been unearthed [3].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
