Smallpox DNA Hidden for Centuries in Mummies Found in Chile Suggests European Colonists Brought the Virus to the Americas
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Historians have long suspected European colonists brought the smallpox-causing Orthopoxvirus variola virus to the Americas, where it decimated Indigenous populations. Now, scientists say they have discovered the first direct, molecular evidence supporting that hypothesis.
Reported by 1 outlet — Smithsonian. See all sources ↓
Historians have long suspected European colonists brought the smallpox-causing Orthopoxvirus variola virus to the Americas, where it decimated Indigenous populations. Now, scientists say they have discovered the first direct, molecular evidence supporting that hypothesis. They report their findings in a new paper published July 30 in Science. “Nobody would ever question that smallpox came to this hemisphere from colonization, but this proves it,” Patricia Foster, a biologist at Indiana University who was not involved with the research, tells the Associated Press’ Adithi Ramakrishnan.
Read the full report at Smithsonian ↗
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- Historians have long suspected European colonists brought the smallpox-causing Orthopoxvirus variola virus to the Americas, where it decimated Indigenous populations. Now, scientists say they have discovered the first direct, molecular evidence supporting that hypothesis.
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Smallpox DNA Hidden for Centuries in Mummies Found in Chile Suggests European Colonists Brought the Virus to the Americas
Sources1TypeCoverageSmithsonian