LHote, L. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2026

3,500 years of sheeppox virus evolution inferred from archaeological and codicological genomes

Sheeppox virus (SPPV) is a major livestock pathogen causing economic hardship through reduced production and death of vulnerable sheep, with written descriptions of sheeppox-like disease recorded since antiquity. We report 21 novel ancient SPPV genomes spanning the Eurasian steppe Bronze Age ([~]1,700 BCE) to the Early Modern period in Western Europe, including multiple genomes obtained from medieval parchment. We estimate that major capripoxvirus lineages diverged [~]11,500-3,700 years ago, overlapping known translocations and bio-cultural developments in sheep. Our dataset supports SPPV diverging first within the lineage leading to goatpox virus and lumpy skin disease virus, and that known gene inactivation events within SPPV and goatpox virus occur in our earliest SPPV genomes. These findings reveal that the food security of Eurasian communities have been threatened by sheeppox for over 3,700 years, and provide new insights to the genomic evolution and potential host adaptation of sheeppox virus. TeaserAncient viral genomes from manuscripts and teeth illuminate the evolutionary history of sheeppox virus.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2025

Evidence of sheeppox in 17th-19th century France: a multi-disciplinary investigation of a sheep mass mortality assemblage

Epizootic outbreaks posed major threats to food security, economic stability, and animal welfare in past communities. While these events and their impacts are well documented in historical records, very few archaeological examples are known, and none for which the causal agent has been reliably identified. We therefore investigated a 17 th-19th century ovine mass-mortality assemblage from Louvres, France, using an interdisciplinary approach integrating paleogenetics, zooarchaeology, history, and veterinary science. The deposit contained nine complete, articulated sheep skeletons, mostly older individuals of both sexes, which were unbutchered but displayed flaying marks. Aside from minor age-related lesions and one ectopic bone nodule, the animals exhibited good skeletal health, with no obvious cause of death. Ancient DNA analysis was therefore conducted and proved highly successful, conclusively identifying two ovine pathogens: sheeppox virus (SPPV) and the parasite Taenia hydatigena. When considered alongside archaeological, veterinary and historical evidence, these findings indicate that the animals died during a sheeppox outbreak. This study provides the first detection of SPPV in archaeological bone and the first paleogenome of this virus. It also offers new insights into livestock health, mortality, and disease management in early modern France, demonstrating the value of integrated approaches for reconstructing past epizootics.

genetics↗