Chilean mummy DNA traces post‑contact arrival of smallpox in the Americas
TL;DR Summary
Genetic analysis of 13 bone samples from the Camarones site in northern Chile uncovered two smallpox infections dating to 1492–1631, providing the strongest evidence yet that smallpox arrived in the Americas after European contact; researchers say the virus could have spread via established Native trade networks or through Africa during the slave trade, and note that smallpox was eradicated in 1980.
- Ancient mummy DNA reveals chilling clue to deadly disease that swept the Americas Fox News
- Earlier this year, researchers analyzed ancient Chilean mummies for traces of smallpox DNA. The evidence p The Economic Times
- First ancient smallpox genomes found in the Americas tie disease to European colonization Yahoo
- Scientists Found Smallpox DNA Hidden in 500-Year-Old Chilean Mummies VICE
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