Ancient mummy DNA reveals chilling clue to deadly disease that swept the Americas
- Ancient Chilean DNA supports post-colonisation arrival of smallpox.
- The study was published in Science.
- It strengthens evidence of Europe-linked disease transmission.
DNA from centuries-old mummies in Chile provides strong evidence that smallpox reached the Americas only after European colonisation. The finding matters because it supports the view that the disease was introduced by Europeans and then contributed to devastating outbreaks among Indigenous populations. The research, published in the journal…