The oldest known human viruses are believed to have infected Neanderthals approximately 50,000 years ago.
Evidence of Ancient Viral Infections
Recent analysis of Neanderthal bones, dating back around 50,000 years, suggests the presence of three modern human viruses. This finding implies that these viruses infected Neanderthals through interactions with early human populations. This discovery sheds light on the complex history of viral evolution and transmission between different human species.
Key Points
- Neanderthal Bones: The evidence comes from analysis of 50,000-year-old Neanderthal skeletal remains.
- Modern Human Viruses: The viruses identified are related to those that infect modern humans today.
- Inter-species Transmission: This suggests transmission between early humans and Neanderthals.
While definitively identifying the oldest specific virus is challenging due to the nature of viral preservation and detection, this research provides compelling evidence of ancient viral infections affecting human ancestors. Future research may uncover even older viral evidence, further refining our understanding of viral evolution.
