A mysterious flesh-rotting disease known as syphilis broke out across Europe in 1495, sparking suspicion on Christopher Columbus’ crew. However, recent genetic testing on ancient bones from South America has revealed a surprising truth.
Scientists have analyzed the remains of people from Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Argentina who lived between the 13th and 15th centuries. The findings suggest that ancestral forms of syphilis were present in the New World before Columbus arrived.
The results indicate that the bacterium was already living in the Americas when Europeans discovered it. This raises questions about how the disease spread and whether Columbus’ crew brought it back with them.
Historical records show that the explorers took native women captive, acquiring sexually transmitted diseases. The new research sheds light on a long-debated topic and provides evidence of syphilis’ origins in the New World.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/18/columbus-didnt-take-syphilis-to-the-americas