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Two Chilean mummies reveal the arrival of smallpox in the Americas by Europeans

DNA analysis of two 17th-century Chilean mummies confirms the presence of the smallpox virus.

Published 6sem2 sourcesConfirmedNotableupdated 5sem
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The fact

These findings prove the disease was introduced by European colonists in the Americas.

They shed light on the historical impact of epidemics on indigenous populations.

2 sources — click a link to read an article on the topic:

Why it matters

Cette découverte archéologique et médicale apporte une preuve tangible de la transmission de la variole par les Européens, un événement clé dans l’histoire des épidémies et de la colonisation. Elle offre un éclairage scientifique sur les conséquences sanitaires des contacts entre continents.

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Auto-synthesis from 2 media sources · identified on July 30, 2026
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