Source link : https://earth-news.info/general/uncovering-the-history-and-ongoing-presence-of-leprosy-in-the-americas-before-european-contact/
New research is shedding light on the ancient presence of leprosy in the Americas long before European arrival, challenging longstanding assumptions about the disease’s origins on the continent. Scientists employing cutting-edge genetic analysis have traced strains of Mycobacterium leprae in pre-contact indigenous populations, revealing a complex history of transmission and evolution. This discovery not only rewrites the medical history of the New World but also helps explain why leprosy continues to persist in certain regions today. The findings, published in Science by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), underscore the importance of historical context in tackling modern infectious diseases.
Pre-European Leprosy Evidence Uncovered in Ancient American Remains
Recent archaeological findings reveal that the bacterium responsible for leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae, existed in the Americas long before European contact. Skeletal remains excavated from various pre-Columbian sites exhibit distinct bone lesions commonly associated with the disease, pushing back the timeline for leprosy’s presence on the continent by several centuries. These discoveries challenge the long-held assumption that leprosy was introduced exclusively through European colonization and instead suggest a more complex history of pathogen migration and indigenous transmission networks.
The analysis also highlights the enduring nature of the disease, linking…
—-
Author : earthnews
Publish date : 2025-06-20 03:04:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
—-
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8