A new study published in Nature has shed light on the origins of syphilis, one of the most devastating diseases in human history. Researchers found that ancient DNA recovered from skeletons across the Americas suggests the disease originated in the region, contradicting long-held theories that it was brought to Europe by Columbus.
The discovery was made using a combination of genetic analysis and radiocarbon dating. The study extracted and reconstructed ancient Treponema pallidum DNA from skeletal remains in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Peru, which dated back over 9,000 years. This ancient DNA is sister lineage to modern strains of the bacterium found in humans today.
The researchers believe that syphilis, along with its relatives yaws and bejel, emerged in the Americas during this time period when human populations were isolated from other parts of the world. The disease then spread globally through human trafficking and European expansions across the Americas and Africa.
However, the study’s findings are unlikely to bring closure to the debate over syphilis’ origins. Dr. Kirsten Bos, lead author of the study, notes that there is still much to be learned from limited data sources and cautions against drawing a definitive line under the mystery. The narrative will likely continue to be debated, with ongoing research shedding light on this complex and intriguing topic.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/dec/18/ancient-bones-debate-origins-of-syphilis-americas-europe