Jan 29, 2026
3 min read
Ancient DNA shows that syphilis-related bacteria existed in Colombia 5,500 years ago, pushing the history of the disease back more than 3,000 years, according to new research.
Researchers have discovered ancient DNA containing bacteria linked to syphilis, and according to their study, the known history of the disease stretches back more than 3,000 years.
The discovery, announced in a press release on January 22, is the result of a study of 5,500-year-old human remains in Bogotá, Savannah, Colombia. The study was published this month in the journal Science.
The researchers analyzed the remains and found the genomes of Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis and three other treponemal diseases.
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient port that was swallowed by the sea near the temple of Cleopatra.
A genome is the DNA blueprint of an organism.In a recent study, researchers used ancient DNA fragments to reconstruct the bacterial genome.
They sampled the shinbones of the skeletons—an unusual method, since most genomes are recovered from the teeth or bones of apparently infected people.
"The method was effective, suggesting that even bones with no visible signs of disease can be an important source of pathogen DNA," said the publication.
Research shows that the bacteria associated with syphilis were present in the Americas long before Columbus arrived.
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There is no scientific consensus on when syphilis started - but it was first recorded in Europe in the 15th century.
"This discovery pushes back the genetic record of this pathogenic species by more than 3,000 years," the press release states.
"This strengthens the evidence that these infections have been circulating in the United States for longer than previously known."
According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, other sources indicate that the new study is based on a single ancient genome and "there are no similar ancient genomes from Europe or other regions for direct comparison."
"Future research will require more ancient genomes from different places and times, as well as studies of human immunity and close collaboration with indigenous communities," the Washington-based organization said."In short, this work does not settle the syphilis controversy, but it does show how many pieces are still missing."
The new findings came "out of the blue," the release said, because researchers were not initially looking for signs of the disease.
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"They originally sequenced the DNA of individuals to study human population history, generating 1.5 billion pieces of genetic data - more than a typical study," the statement said.
"Sifting through the data, teams from the University of California, Santa Cruz and the University of Lausanne independently discovered T. pallidum and came together to investigate."
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Lars Fehren-Schmitz, a geneticist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who was involved in the study, said the findings show the value of studying ancient DNA.
"Our findings demonstrate the unique potential of paleogenomics to contribute to our understanding of species evolution and potential health risks to past and present communities," said Fehren-Schmitz.
Archaeological finds involving ancient diseases are rare, but advances in DNA analysis have led to important discoveries.
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In November, researchers published their findings about the deadly pathogens that ravaged Napoleon's troops when they retreated from Russia in 1812.
