DNA analysis uncovers disease causes of Napoleon's 1812 army demise

1 min read
Source: Live Science
DNA analysis uncovers disease causes of Napoleon's 1812 army demise
Photo: Live Science
TL;DR

Scientists analyzed DNA from soldiers' teeth from Napoleon's 1812 Russian retreat and found that, besides cold and starvation, diseases like paratyphoid and relapsing fever contributed to the soldiers' deaths, challenging previous beliefs that typhus and trench fever were the main causes.

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