Ancient Sheeppox Virus DNA Identified in Medieval Parchment
Analysis of historical records reveals the pathogen has infected Eurasian livestock for at least 3,700 years.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Life Sciences
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Researchers have identified ancient sheeppox virus DNA in medieval parchment and Bronze Age sheep remains, tracing the pathogen's history back 3,700 years. The findings, published September 2, 2026, in Science Advances, confirm the virus diverged from the capripoxvirus lineage approximately 5,200 years ago.
Why it matters
This research demonstrates that historical parchment serves as a massive repository for tracking ancient pathogens. By analyzing animal hides, scientists can map the evolution and spread of livestock diseases that have impacted agricultural productivity for millennia.
Analysis of 754 parchment and livestock samples confirmed the virus diverged from the capripoxvirus lineage 5,200 years ago. Researchers identified the oldest viral DNA in a Central Asian sheep tooth dating to 1700 BCE.
The players
Science Advances
A peer-reviewed, open-access journal covering scientific research across all disciplines.
The details
To recover the sequences, researchers collected DNA from medieval parchment by gently rubbing the surface to generate a powder. This technique reveals that parchment, made from cattle and goat hides, preserves pathogens that infected the original livestock. The study indicates that the virus, which causes disease that reduces meat and milk production, was present in Eurasia for at least 3,700 years.
Timeline
5,200 years ago: The sheeppox virus diverged from the capripoxvirus lineage.
5,000 years ago: Large-scale sheep migration from the Eurasian steppe began.
1700 BCE: Earliest identified viral DNA detected in a sheep tooth.
September 2, 2026: Research findings were published in Science Advances.
The Tech Race
This work mirrors the growth of ancient DNA analysis in human paleogenomics, now being applied to agricultural history. The study effectively turns historical archives into a genomic library for reconstructing the evolution of livestock-specific pathogens.
This research provides a new tool for agricultural scientists to understand the long-term history of pathogens that limit livestock output. It relies on existing archival material, meaning future studies will likely require no new field excavations to sequence ancient viruses.
The takeaway
The study confirms that archives of parchment are a viable, untapped data source for mapping the deep history of veterinary pathogens. Watch for future studies utilizing this sampling method to trace other historical agricultural diseases.
Further reading
For more on the evolution of infectious agents, explore our coverage in Life Sciences.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dongascience.
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