Scientists have discovered that medieval manuscripts made from sheep parchment can hold DNA traces of the sheeppox virus, a highly contagious disease that affected European livestock for thousands of years. By analyzing these ancient DNA samples, researchers have gained insights into how the virus evolved and impacted societies over time. The study, published in Science Advances, highlights the potential for archives and libraries worldwide to contain genetic evidence of past disease outbreaks. This research not only sheds light on the history of sheeppox but also opens up new possibilities for understanding the evolution of other animal pathogens.
QUESTION: How might uncovering the genetic history of ancient diseases influence the way we handle current and future outbreaks?
Medieval manuscripts are “biological time capsules” for deadly sheeppox virus
