Manuscripts and art support archaeological evidence that syphilis was in Europe long before explorers could have brought it home from the Americas

Key Points:

• The long-held belief that syphilis was brought to Europe from the Americas after Columbus's voyages has been challenged by paleopathological and historical evidence indicating the disease existed in the Old World centuries earlier.
• Archaeological findings from sites in the UK, Austria, and Turkey reveal skeletal and dental damage consistent with syphilis dating back to as early as the 6th century, well before Columbus's 1492 expedition.
• Distinguishing between syphilis and related treponemal diseases like bejel and yaws is complex, but documentary and artistic evidence—such as depictions of "saddle nose" deformities in medieval art—support the presence of venereal syphilis in medieval Europe.
• Historical records suggest that medieval elites may have suffered more severely from syphilis due to lack of childhood immunity, with notable figures like King Edward IV of England potentially dying from the disease, reflecting its impact on noble bloodlines.
• This emerging research calls into question the traditional narrative of the Columbian exchange regarding syphilis and highlights the importance of integrating archaeological, artistic, and textual sources to understand the disease's history.