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Ancient mummy DNA confirms smallpox arrived in Americas through European colonization

DNA from a Chilean mummy provides strong evidence that smallpox was introduced to the Americas by European colonisers.

Skinny McBuntu

Researchers have analysed ancient mummy DNA recovered in Chile, finding the strongest evidence to date that European colonisation brought smallpox to the Americas. The genetic evidence offers scientific confirmation of how the disease reached the continent.

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Stuff

Ancient mummy DNA provides scientific evidence that colonization brought smallpox to the Americas

NEW YORK (AP) — Ancient mummy DNA recovered in Chile has yielded the firmest evidence yet that European colonization brought smallpox to the Americas.

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