Smallpox DNA found in Chilean mummies

Researchers from Trinity College Dublin and the University of Chile recovered ancient variola virus DNA from two naturally mummified individuals buried at Camarones 9 in northern Chile, dating between 1492 and 1631 CE. This provides the first direct molecular evidence that European colonization introduced smallpox to the Americas, confirming historical accounts. The viral genomes, nearly identical, belong to an extinct lineage that fits between medieval European strains and modern variants, proving Old World origin. The study, published in Science on July 30, 2026, also reveals that the virus's evolution slowed during the colonial period and accelerated after vaccination began in 1796. The findings highlight the devastating impact of smallpox on Indigenous populations, which lacked immunity, and underscore the importance of studying ancient pathogens to understand disease evolution and potential future threats.