Oldest Known Human Viruses Discovered In 50000 Year Old Neanderthal Bones

Earlier, scientists had believed that infectious diseases might have played an important role in the extinction of Neanderthals. But researchers did not have any solid evidence for this. Because extracting ancient DNA and putting it in a sequence was a very difficult task. Now a new study led by molecular biologist Marcelo Briones Study Has been done. DNA samples of Neanderthal skeletons found in Chagyrskaya Cave in Russia have been analyzed.

After this, Briones’ team found that some fragments were found in the bones which matched three viruses of the modern era. These include adenovirus (common cold), herpes virus (cold sores), and papillomavirus (genital warts).

However, this discovery is still very preliminary. The fragments of virus found in them suggest that they may have contained old viruses. The research also states that what effect these viruses might have had on Neanderthals cannot be said yet. But this discovery has opened the doors for further investigation in this regard. At the same time, this discovery weakens all those theories which have been saying that the extinction of Neanderthals might have happened due to changes in the environment or conflict between humans and humans.

Researchers also accept that many factors may have been involved in the extinction of Neanderthals. Further study about these viruses and other responsible factors discovered in the bones will take us closer to the truth which is related to a huge event in the history of the human species.