December
23
/ 2024
Because syphilis showed up in the Americas and Europe around the same time, in the late 15th century, there has long been debate about the direction this disease traveled just before it ravaged both the Old and New Worlds. Since its appearance coincided with the voyages of Columbus, it has been possible to create scenarios that have the disease moving from Europe to the Americas on his ships, or moving in the other direction following Columbus’s return. This debate has now been ended, as a result of a new analysis of 15th century DNA that proves conclusively that this insidious disease developed in the Americas, not in Europe. The first definite outbreak of the disease in Europe took place during
