New Genetic Evidence of an Ancient Killer Has Surfaced After Being Concealed in Medieval Texts for Centuries

A team of researchers has uncovered genetic evidence of an ancient virus that caused a deadly plague in medieval Europe, hidden in medieval manuscripts. The virus, known as the sheepox virus (SPPV), is believed to have affected European livestock for at least 3,500 years. The research, published in *Science Advances*, examined vellum pages from historical manuscripts, which contain genetic material of the virus. The study revealed that the virus was present in medieval herds and that its genetic lineage can be traced back to at least 3,700 years ago. The findings suggest that the virus was highly contagious and targeted young animals, such as calves, which were used to make vellum.

The research team analyzed 41 samples from medieval manuscripts, including the York Gospels and the Corpus Glossary, to identify the genetic traces of the virus. The study found that SPPV belongs to a group of viruses called capripoxviruses, and that the division between different viruses in this group occurred between 3,700 and 11,500 years ago, around the time of European domestication of sheep. The genetic stability of the SPPV genome over the past few millennia suggests that it has remained largely unchanged, despite the evolution of its host.

The discovery highlights the importance of preserving historical documents for scientific research, as medieval manuscripts can provide valuable genetic information about ancient pathogens. The findings also emphasize the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in uncovering the history of diseases that have impacted human and animal populations throughout history. The research shows that parchment not only preserves cultural history but also provides insights into the evolution of pathogens affecting livestock.

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