Both syphilis and Christopher Columbus touched down on new continents in the 15th century, sparking the exchange of pathogens between Europeans and indigenous populations.
The so-called 'Columbian hypothesis' argues that syphilis was brought over to Europe by sailors returning from their colonization of indigenous Americans.
Kirsten Bos's study indicates a precursor to syphilis-causing bacteria was already circulating in the Americas 8,000 years ago, predating Columbus's voyages.
Analyzing skeletons from South America led researchers to believe that syphilis' bacterial diversity was already present in the Americas before 1492.
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