Ancient Gospel Pages Reveal Millennia-Old Sheeppox Virus DNA
Researchers have extracted DNA of the sheeppox virus from the 1,000-year-old York Gospel manuscript, showing the disease has infected livestock for over 3,700 years.
University College Dublin scientists examined the vellum of the York Gospels, a manuscript created in Canterbury in the late 10th century and later housed at York Minster. DNA analysis uncovered remnants of the highly contagious sheeppox virus on both calf- and goat-skin parchment, indicating the disease’s long-standing presence in livestock. Comparing these sequences with viral DNA recovered from Bronze Age sheep teeth revealed that sheeppox has afflicted Eurasian flocks for at least 3,700 years.
The research, appearing in Science Advances, demonstrates that medieval manuscripts can act as biological time capsules, preserving pathogen genomes for centuries. Lead author Louis L’Hôte noted that the virus’s genome has remained unusually stable, unlike smallpox, which may aid modern eradication efforts. He also warned that sheeppox continues to threaten farms today, citing a current outbreak in Greece. The study adds to a growing body of work using ancient DNA to illuminate historic animal diseases.
Why it matters
The discovery shows ancient texts can reveal long-term disease histories, aiding modern efforts to control persistent livestock pathogens.
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