Source-linked briefing Science

Historic parchments trace 3,500-year evolution of sheeppox virus

Historic parchments trace 3,500-year evolution of sheeppox virus

Researchers analyzing manuscripts such as the York Gospels found ancient biomolecular traces that chart the long history of the sheeppox virus. The work shows how cultural artifacts can serve as biological archives for tracking pathogen evolution.

Original headline

Ancient parchment reveals historical evolution of destructive sheeppox virus