Medieval manuscripts preserve genetic traces of a sheep disease that has threatened herds across Eurasia for more than 3,700 years, according to a new study. Researchers recovered ancient DNA from sheeppox virus, or SPPV, in animal skins used to make parchment. The team studied manuscripts from Britain and mainland Europe, along with older remains from […]

DNA traces on medieval parchment reveal 3,700-year history of deadly sheeppox virus
Dario Radley


