How smallpox reached the Americas: first genomic evidence points to Europeans

AI Insight

Researchers have obtained the first genomic evidence revealing how smallpox arrived in the Americas by analyzing viral sequences extracted from Chilean mummies. The genetic data confirms that the disease was introduced to the continent from Europe, providing direct molecular proof of this historical transmission route. This study represents a significant advance in using ancient DNA to trace the origins and spread of infectious diseases during the colonial period.

Why it matters

This research demonstrates how genomic archaeology can definitively answer long-standing historical questions about disease transmission and colonial contact. Understanding the genetic history of smallpox spread provides a model for tracking other historical epidemics and could inform how we monitor and respond to emerging infectious diseases today.