Medieval manuscripts are "biological time capsules" for deadly sheeppox virus
Summary
Scientists studied DNA from sheeppox virus preserved in the animal skins used to make medieval manuscripts. Their research shows that sheeppox has affected sheep for at least 3,500 years and helps understand how the virus evolved over time.Key Facts
- Sheeppox is a virus that spreads quickly among sheep and can often be deadly.
- The disease was mostly removed from European sheep in the 20th century but still appears sometimes, like in Greece last year.
- Researchers extracted virus DNA from the leather (parchment) of old manuscripts made from sheep skins.
- Ancient texts from Roman times and the Middle Ages mention sheeppox outbreaks.
- The virus caused significant sheep deaths in Europe from the Middle Ages through the 19th century.
- DNA analysis from manuscripts offers a new way to study how animal diseases have changed through history.
- Similar techniques have been used before to find disease DNA in old human remains.
- The study was published in the journal Science Advances.
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