Scientists find deadly virus DNA hidden in 1,000-year-old manuscripts
Date: November 11, 2026
Source: University College Dublin

Summary:

Ancient manuscripts, including the 1,000-year-old York Gospels, have revealed traces of a deadly sheep virus whose history stretches back more than 3,700 years. Scientists discovered that the virus has remained remarkably unchanged for millennia, turning historic parchment into an unexpected record of ancient disease outbreaks.

The project brought together specialists in genetics, history, virology, protein chemistry, and conservation, allowing the team to investigate the manuscripts from both historical and biological perspectives.

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