Ancient DNA from 214 known human pathogens in prehistoric humans from Eurasia has been recovered by a research team led by Eske Willerslev, professor at the University of Copenhagen and the University of Cambridge. Results from this work provided the earliest known evidence of zoonotic disease, with dates as far back as
Evidence presented in the study suggests that zoonotic diseases, those passed from animals to humans, can be traced back to around 6,500 years ago, with a broader spread occurring approximately 5,000 years ago. This is currently the largest study involving the history and transmission of infectious disease. The team examined DNA from more than 1,300 prehistoric humans, some of whom lived up to 37,000 years ago, and found unique clues about the origins and progression of bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases.
The findings indicate that both the close relationship between humans and domesticated animals and the mass migrations of pastoralist groups from the Pontic Steppe were key drivers of disease spread. “We’ve long suspected that the transition to farming and animal husbandry opened the door to a new era of disease. Now DNA shows us that it happened at least 6,500 years ago,” stated Professor Eske Willerslev. “These infections didn’t just cause illness; they may have contributed to population collapse, migration, and genetic adaptation.”
This research may have important implications for vaccine innovation and for tracking the progression and mutation of diseases across time. “If we understand what happened in the past, it can help us prepare for the future, where many of the newly emerging infectious diseases are predicted to originate from animals,” explained Associate Professor Martin Sikora, the study’s first author.
“Mutations that were successful in the past are likely to reappear,” noted Willerslev. “This knowledge is important for future vaccines, as it allows us to test whether current vaccines provide sufficient coverage or whether new ones need to be developed due to mutations.”
Publication Details
Sikora, M., Canteri, E., Fernandez-Guerra, A. et al. The spatiotemporal distribution of human pathogens in ancient Eurasia. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09192-8
Evidence presented in the study suggests that zoonotic diseases, those passed from animals to humans, can be traced back to around 6,500 years ago, with a broader spread occurring approximately 5,000 years ago. This is currently the largest study involving the history and transmission of infectious disease. The team examined DNA from more than 1,300 prehistoric humans, some of whom lived up to 37,000 years ago, and found unique clues about the origins and progression of bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases.
The findings indicate that both the close relationship between humans and domesticated animals and the mass migrations of pastoralist groups from the Pontic Steppe were key drivers of disease spread. “We’ve long suspected that the transition to farming and animal husbandry opened the door to a new era of disease. Now DNA shows us that it happened at least 6,500 years ago,” stated Professor Eske Willerslev. “These infections didn’t just cause illness; they may have contributed to population collapse, migration, and genetic adaptation.”
This research may have important implications for vaccine innovation and for tracking the progression and mutation of diseases across time. “If we understand what happened in the past, it can help us prepare for the future, where many of the newly emerging infectious diseases are predicted to originate from animals,” explained Associate Professor Martin Sikora, the study’s first author.
“Mutations that were successful in the past are likely to reappear,” noted Willerslev. “This knowledge is important for future vaccines, as it allows us to test whether current vaccines provide sufficient coverage or whether new ones need to be developed due to mutations.”
Publication Details
Sikora, M., Canteri, E., Fernandez-Guerra, A. et al. The spatiotemporal distribution of human pathogens in ancient Eurasia. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09192-8