TRAncient DNA extracted from mummified remains in Chile has provided the strongest evidence yet that smallpox was introduced to the Americas by European colonizers. The study analyzed 13 bone samples from an archaeological site in northern Chile and found traces of smallpox infection in the remains of an adult man and woman, dated between 1492 and 1631. Genetic analysis showed that these strains of smallpox fall between medieval European strains and later variants, supporting the theory that the virus originated in Europe and was carried to the Americas during colonization. While the specific route of transmission remains uncertain, the findings confirm historical accounts of the devastating impact of smallpox on Indigenous populations who had no prior exposure to the disease.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a scientific discovery regarding the origin of smallpox in the Americas, focusing on genetic evidence rather than political or ideological perspectives. There is no indication of biased framing, loaded language, or one-sided sourcing. The content is purely scientific and factual
