DNA from Chilean mummies confirms European smallpox reached the Americas
TL;DR
DNA analysis of two Chilean mummies from Camarones shows traces of smallpox similar to European strains, providing the first direct molecular evidence that the disease was introduced to the Americas during European colonization and contributed to the drastic decline of Indigenous populations, though it remains unclear whether spread was deliberate or accidental.
- Mummy DNA exposes gruesome history of a deadly disease brought by colonists that ravaged early Americans New York Post
- 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 economictimes.com
- First ancient smallpox genomes found in the Americas tie disease to European colonization Yahoo
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