Research
Scientists find deadly virus DNA hidden in 1,000-year-old manuscripts
The Brief
- Traces of DNA from a deadly sheep virus were found in ancient manuscripts, including the 1,000-year-old York Gospels.
- The virus's history stretches back more than 3,700 years, according to the reported findings.
- Scientists found the virus has remained remarkably unchanged for millennia.
Why it matters
The finding suggests parchment can preserve viral genetic material for centuries, which could help researchers trace the long history of animal pathogens.
Who’s affected
- historians and manuscript conservators
- virologists and researchers studying ancient pathogens
- #ancient dna
- #virology
- #manuscripts
- #parchment
- #sheep virus
- #paleogenomics
Ancient manuscripts, including the 1,000-year-old York Gospels, have revealed traces of a deadly sheep virus whose history stretches back more than 3,700 years. Scientists discovered that the virus has remained remarkably unchanged for millennia, turning historic parchment into…
Timeline
Scientists' findings on virus DNA in the manuscripts reported by ScienceDaily
Fossils & Ruins News -- ScienceDaily
Scientists find deadly virus DNA hidden in 1,000-year-old manuscripts