Researchers find ancient sheep pox virus DNA in 1,000 year old manuscripts

An international team of scientists, led by researchers from University of Dublin, identified DNA from a deadly virus in historical manuscripts.

The team discovered traces of sheep pox virus within the York Gospels and other historical documents from Britain and Europe. These manuscripts, which are about 1,000 years old, were made from animal skins that preserved the viral genetic material over centuries.

The researchers used advanced techniques to extract ancient DNA from these skins and also examined sheep teeth from the Bronze Age. By combining these findings, the team proved that the virus affected livestock more than 3,700 years ago in Eurasia. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, showed that the virus remained remarkably stable over thousands of years. The discovery provides a genetic record of how the virus spread among herds long before the modern era.

While the disease primarily affects sheep, the team found viral traces in skins made from calves and goats, suggesting the virus may have jumped to other animals. Scientists hope these historical genetic insights will help them understand how pathogens evolve and develop better ways to fight current outbreaks.