www.antena3.ro/externe/mapamond/oamenii-de-stiinta

Ancient manuscripts, including the York Gospel, revealed traces of a deadly sheep virus, SPPV, dating back over 3,700 years. Researchers found that the virus has remained remarkably unchanged over millennia, turning historical parchment into an unexpected archive of past epidemics. The study, led by University College Dublin, identified ancient viral DNA preserved in animal skins used for parchment, indicating that the disease spread among sheep long before modern times. This discovery highlights the potential of historical documents to contain valuable biological evidence, offering insights into the evolution of infectious diseases and their impact on societies.