In a groundbreaking study, scientists have discovered ancient smallpox virus DNA from two mummified Inca individuals in northern Chile, dating between 1492 and 1631. This finding marks the first molecular evidence that European colonizers introduced smallpox to the Americas, a disease that had devastating effects on Indigenous populations. The analysis revealed that the viral genomes from the mummies were nearly identical, indicating that both individuals were likely infected during the same outbreak or by the same strain of the virus. This research provides crucial insights into the historical impact of smallpox, which is estimated to have caused the deaths of three to four million Indigenous people who had no prior immunity to the disease.
The study, published in the journal Science, highlights the significant toll smallpox took on Indigenous communities, contributing to the decimation of about 90% of the original inhabitants of the Americas by 1600. While historical records have long documented the effects of smallpox, this research offers the first description of the pathogen during the colonial period, corroborating the historical accounts of a smallpox epidemic sweeping through the Americas. The researchers compared the ancient viral genomes with modern strains and found that the genome matched an extinct lineage that diverged from a European strain around 1296, providing evidence of the virus's evolution and its introduction to the Americas.
The implications of this research extend beyond historical understanding; studying ancient pathogens like smallpox can offer valuable insights into how modern diseases might behave and adapt. The researchers hope to find more samples of ancient variola virus throughout the Americas to further complete the picture of smallpox's evolution and movement. This study not only sheds light on the past but also emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics of infectious diseases in shaping human history and populations.
Overall, the discovery of smallpox DNA in these mummies serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of European colonization and the catastrophic impact of introduced diseases on Indigenous peoples. It underscores the need for continued research into ancient pathogens to better understand their effects on human populations and the evolution of diseases over time.
