Chilean Mummies Prove Europeans Brought Smallpox to the Americas—But That’s Not All - Gizmodo

Core Impact Points

• Smallpox DNA was found in mummies from the Spanish conquest era in Chile, confirming that Europeans brought the virus to the Americas.
• The discovery suggests that smallpox was introduced to the continent before the arrival of European colonizers, challenging previous theories.
• The virus may have been less deadly in ancient times, with some researchers suggesting that it may have been a milder form of the disease.
• The study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of the history of smallpox and its impact on indigenous populations.
• The research also highlights the importance of studying ancient DNA to better understand the spread of diseases throughout history.