Ancient mummy DNA provides scientific evidence that colonization brought smallpox to the Americas
Summary
Scientists analyzed DNA from ancient mummies found in northern Chile and confirmed that smallpox was brought to the Americas by European colonizers. The study shows the smallpox strains in the Americas came from Europe and helped cause widespread deaths among Indigenous people after colonization began.Key Facts
- Researchers studied 13 bone samples from an archaeological site in Camarones, northern Chile.
- DNA from leg bone fragments of an adult man and woman showed evidence of smallpox infection.
- The individuals likely died between 1492 and 1631, shortly after European contact.
- The smallpox virus found fits genetically between medieval European strains and later versions.
- This is the strongest scientific proof that European colonization introduced smallpox to the Americas.
- The disease spread far south, possibly through Indigenous trade networks, before widespread European settlement.
- The smallpox virus evolved over time, losing some genes to become more effective and deadly.
- The disease caused massive loss of life, weakening Indigenous populations and aiding European conquest.
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