Scientists find 3,700 year old sheep pox virus DNA in medieval manuscripts

An international team of scientists led by University College Dublin in Ireland identified DNA from a deadly sheep pox virus in medieval manuscripts and ancient remains.

The researchers found the genetic material in animal skins used to create parchments, including documents from roughly 1,000 years ago. These manuscripts, such as the York Gospels and the Corpus Glossarium, were produced before paper became common and preserved biological traces from the sheep and goats used in their manufacture.

The study also analyzed sheep teeth from the Bronze Age discovered in pastoral settlements on the Eurasian steppe. This analysis revealed that the sheep pox virus has circulated among livestock for more than 3,700 years. By comparing these ancient genomes with modern sequences, the team found that the virus has remained genetically stable for millennia, suggesting that its primary adaptations occurred very long ago.

The researchers believe that the movement of herds from the Eurasian steppe toward Europe between 11,500 and 3,700 years ago helped spread the virus. While the disease still causes significant economic losses by killing young animals and reducing wool and meat production, this discovery shows how historical archives can provide insights into the evolution of modern agricultural threats.