Uncovering the origins of syphilis has been a long-standing debate among scholars, with new evidence shedding light on the mysterious past of this devastating disease.
Ancient Bones Shed New Light on Debate over Origins of Syphilis
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An upper hip bone that yielded traces of bacteria from the family that causes syphilis.
Infectious diseases have plagued humanity for centuries, with some diseases leaving behind a trail of devastation in their wake. One such disease is syphilis, which has been the subject of much debate among scholars regarding its origins. While it is widely believed to have emerged in Europe“>Europe [/highlight]in the 15th century, new research suggests that this may not be the case.
Syphilis: A Disease with a Mysterious Past
The first recorded outbreak of syphilis occurred in 1494, when French king Charles VIII’s army invaded Italy. The disease spread rapidly throughout Europe after the soldiers returned to their homelands the following year. However, where this disease came from has been a topic of debate among scholars for centuries.
New Evidence Points to Americas as Syphilis’ Birthplace
Recent research has shed new light on the origins of syphilis by analyzing ancient DNA recovered from skeletons across the Americas. The study found that these disease-ravaged bones, which predate Columbus‘s first voyage to the New World, harbored genomes of bacteria from the syphilis disease family.
A Common Ancestor Lived 9,000 Years Ago
The researchers were able to reconstruct five genomes from these bones and found that they are sister lineages to the modern strains of the bacterium that is circulating in humans today. This suggests that the infection had its roots in the Americas, with a common ancestor living at most 9,000 years ago.
Implications for Our Understanding of Syphilis
The finding has significant implications for our understanding of syphilis and its spread throughout the world. It appears that syphilis and its known relatives had their roots in the Americas, but spread globally through human trafficking and European expansions across the Americas and Africa in the decades and centuries after the early epidemic.
A Debate That Continues
While this new evidence sheds light on the origins of syphilis, it is unlikely to draw a line under the debate. As Dr. Kirsten Bos noted, “We’re looking at very limited sources of data, and we’re trying to analyze them in a very holistic, comprehensive way.” The narrative will continue to be debated, with many questions still remaining unanswered.
A Story That Continues to Unfold
The origins of syphilis remain a complex and multifaceted story that continues to unfold. As new evidence emerges, our understanding of this disease and its spread throughout the world will undoubtedly change.
- theguardian.com | Ancient bones shed new light on debate over origins of syphilis
