Post by UKarchaeology on Nov 24, 2015 1:44:17 GMT
A new study gives a clean chit to Italian explorer Christopher Columbus on the syphilis issue saying the disease was widespread in Central Europe even before his famous voyage to America. Scientists have identified several cases of the disease in Austria dating back to as early as 1320 AD.
Researchers identify several cases of the disease in Austria dating back to 1320 AD.
Syphilis was widespread in Central Europe even before Christopher Columbus’ famous voyage to America, say scientists who have identified several cases of the disease in Austria dating back to as early as 1320 AD.
The study suggests that the Italian explorer himself cannot be blamed for introducing the sexually transmitted infection to Europe.
“In 1495, a “new” disease spread throughout Europe: syphilis. Christopher Columbus was said to have brought this sexually transmitted disease back from his voyage to America,” researchers said. At least, that has been the accepted theory up until now, researchers said.
Morphological evidence
Using morphological and structural evidence, researchers from the Medical University of Vienna have now identified several cases of congenital syphilis dating back to as early as 1320 AD in skeletons from excavations at the cathedral square of St. Polten, Austria.
“The discovery clearly refutes the previous theory,” said study leaders Karl Grobschmidt and Fabian Kanz of MedUni Vienna.
Congenital syphilis, which is passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child, was primarily identified by changes to the teeth of skeletons from the 14th century.
Full story: www.thehindu.com/news/international/columbus-didnt-introduce-syphilis-to-europe-study/article7908430.ece