How Syphilis Spread Through Europe: Columbus Wasn't to Blame

In 1495, a new disease spread through Europe: syphilis. Now, researchers are taking a closer look at this disease, and have found that it wasn't spread from America by Christopher Columbus, and was instead around far earlier.

Congenital syphilis, which is passed from pregnant mother to her unborn child, was primarily identified by changes to the teeth of skeletons from the 14^th century. Teeth have central notches and converging edges, and there are mulberry molars, which are characteristic signs of syphilis.

Until now, a total of 9,000 skeletons as old as the 9^th century AD have been recovered from excavations in the cathedral square in St. Polten. The large number of unearthed individuals is unique. More interesting, though, are the discoveries about these skeletons.

In this latest study, the researchers actually identified several cases of congenital syphilis dating back to as early as 1320 in skeletons from excavations at the cathedral square of St. Polten Austria. This, in particular, refutes the theory that syphilis came to Europe only after Columbus returned.

Currently, researchers are confirming the findings with molecular biological tests and proteomics, which is the examination of the proteome using biochemical methods. If confirmed, though, researchers will have to find another theory as to how syphilis was first introduced to Europe.

The findings are published in the journal Anthropologischer Anzeiger.

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