Published in Science · View the paper (DOI)
Analysis of Chilean mummies reveals the earliest known strain of ancient smallpox from the Americas, linking the disease to European colonization. The findings offer genetic evidence that smallpox was introduced to the New World through European contact.
Coverage from 2 institutions
- Chilean mummies preserve ancient smallpox genome that traces disease to European colonization American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) · Jul 30, 2026 · first to report
- Ancient smallpox genomes reveal how European colonisation brought the disease to the Americas Trinity College Dublin · Jul 30, 2026