Smallpox genetic material discovered in 400-600-year-old Chilean mummies

Researchers have identified smallpox DNA within two naturally preserved mummies from a small Chilean community, dating back to between 1492 and 1631. The remains belonged to a woman aged 30 to 35 and a man aged 18 to 20. This analysis of the mummies verifies that the smallpox virus was introduced to the Americas from Europe.