Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that people today are still affected by. Although some historians have hypothesized that Christopher Columbus brought syphilis to Europe, that idea is most likely not the case.
New evidence suggests that the history of syphilis is a lot more complicated than initially thought. Surprisingly, we can learn new information about the origin of this disease by studying ancient bones.
Europe’s First Known Outbreak
In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean and landed in what was dubbed “The New World.” In 1493, he returned to Europe… and something unpleasant might have come over with him.
A year or so later, a plague known as the Great Pox broke out among French soldiers. This “Great Pox” was soon renamed: syphilis.
A Syphilis Hypothesis
Since the early 20th century, historians and scientists have debated where the syphilis infection came from. Syphilis is a highly-contagious STI, but we do not know how it came to be.
Many have been led to believe that its origins are from the New World. This hypothesis often has racist and xenophobic undertones, but the timing seems just right. Well, according to newfound research, this hypothesis may have been proven wrong.
Begel Found In Bones
Scientists have performed genetic analysis on 2,000-year-old bones that were found in Brazil. They revealed that the person was infected by an ancient bacterial subspecies similar to syphilis.
The bone’s bacteria belongs to the genus _Treponema—_the same bacteriaum that causes syphilis. However, it is most closely related to a different modern pathogen which causes a disease called “bejel.”
What is Begel?
Begel is a treponemal disease spread via skin contact—it’s not just sexually transmitted. Begel can affect the skin and internal parts of the body, just like syphilis.
Begel still affects people today. The disease is mostly found in arid parts of Africa, western Asia, and Mediterranean regions.
Not Quite Syphilis
The discovery of a begel-like disease in Ancient Brazil comes as a surprise. We now know that treponemal diseases existed in South America long before Columbus’s arrival, but they were not the same disease that struck Europe.
Environmental scientist Kerttu Majander from the University of Basel explains, “The fact that the findings represent an endemic type of treponemal diseases, and not sexually transmitted syphilis, leaves the origin of the sexually transmitted syphilis still unsettled.”
Long Before Columbus, Perhaps?
Some scientists have found genetic hints of syphilis in the teeth and bones of ancient Europeans. These specimens are from far before Columbus’s lifetime.
However, some have been unconvinced by this research. Pathogens in the _Treponema_ genus, which includes syphilis, can manifest on bones in really similar ways. Therefore, some experts do not believe that these people were infected by syphilis, but by a similar disease—like the Brazilian bones.
More Bones in Mexico
Some researchers found bones in a cave in Mexico. These bones are dated to be 9,900 years old and have syphilis-like lesions.
However, these people may have also been infected by a bejel-like disease instead of syphilis, too.
Not From One Origin
It is still unclear where syphilis originated. There are many pathogens in the _Treponema_ genus and bejel is difficult to differentiate from syphilis.
The first syphilis outbreak in Europe may have been caused by a mutation of a treponeme disease that was already nearby. It is unlikely that Columbus brought over the disease from the Americas.
Future Studies
Archaeologist Verena Schünemann explains, “As we have not found any sexually transmitted syphilis in South America, the theory that Columbus brought syphilis to Europe seems to appear more improbable.”
The team that discovered the bones in Brazil hopes that others will continue investigating the origins of this disease.
