For centuries, scientists and historians have debated the origins of syphilis, a devastating disease that swept through Europe in the late 15th century. Now, thanks to advancements in paleogenomics, researchers have finally traced its roots back to the Americas.
A new study, published in the journal Nature on December 18, confirms that syphilis, along with its related diseases, likely existed in the Americas long before European contact. The research was led by archaeogeneticist Kirsten Bos from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. "The data clearly support a root in the Americas for syphilis and its known relatives," Bos stated, emphasizing that the disease was introduced to Europe in the late 15th century.
Unraveling Syphilis’ Ancient Past
Syphilis belongs to a family of diseases caused by bacteria from the Treponema genus, which also includes non-venereal infections like pinta, bejel, and yaws. These diseases affect bones over time, leading archaeologists to study skeletal remains for clues. However, finding direct genetic evidence has been challenging due to the fragile nature of bacterial DNA.
In their study, researchers analyzed teeth and bones from dozens of skeletons excavated from pre-Columbian archaeological sites across Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Chile. Using cutting-edge genomic technology, they successfully isolated Treponema pallidum DNA from five individuals who died before 1492.
A Disease Deeply Rooted in the Americas
By studying the genetic makeup of these ancient bacterial strains, researchers determined that T. pallidum emerged in the Americas as early as 9,000 years ago during the middle Holocene epoch. Over time, it evolved into different subspecies responsible for various treponemal diseases, including modern syphilis.
Interestingly, the study suggests that the specific strain causing modern syphilis may have developed just before Columbus' arrival in the New World. Following European contact, the disease spread rapidly, coinciding with the rise of transatlantic human trafficking and colonial expansion.
Fragments of hip bone that produced an ancient syphilis-like genome (Image credit: © Darío Ramirez)
European Colonialism and the Global Spread of Syphilis
Although indigenous American populations had long harbored early forms of treponemal diseases, it was European colonialism that played a key role in their global dissemination. "While indigenous American groups harbored early forms of these diseases, Europeans were instrumental in spreading them around the world," Bos noted.
This research provides the strongest evidence yet that syphilis was not a European disease but one that traveled across the Atlantic during the Age of Exploration, fundamentally reshaping global health history.
Conclusion
The new findings settle a long-standing scientific mystery while highlighting the impact of colonialism on global disease patterns. The spread of syphilis is a stark reminder of how interconnected human history and disease evolution truly are.
Source: Live Science
