Image Credit: University of Tartu Institute of Genomics Ancient DNA Laboratory

Ancient Herpesvirus Genomes Reveal a 2500 Year History with Humans

Scientists have reconstructed the oldest known genomes of human herpesviruses from archaeological remains, demonstrating that these infections have been evolving alongside humans since at least the Iron Age. The study analyzed ancient DNA from human skeletons across Europe and identified preserved genomes of human betaherpesvirus 6A and 6B, two widespread viruses that today infect most people during early childhood.
The findings provide the first direct genomic evidence that these viruses were already circulating more than 2,500 years ago. Some ancient individuals carried inherited forms of the virus that had integrated into their chromosomes, showing that this unusual viral behavior—becoming part of the human genome—was already established in antiquity.
By examining where the viral DNA was embedded in ancient chromosomes, researchers traced lineages that persisted across generations for centuries. The analysis also suggests that one of the two viral forms gradually lost its ability to integrate into human DNA, indicating divergent evolutionary paths while coexisting with human hosts.
The recovered genomes span a wide geographic range, from Iron Age southern Europe to medieval populations in northern and western Europe. Together, they document a long, continuous relationship between humans and these viruses, reshaping understanding of how common childhood infections can leave a lasting imprint on human genetic history.
The study highlights the power of ancient DNA research to illuminate the deep past of infectious diseases, revealing how viruses that usually cause mild illnesses can persist for millennia—sometimes becoming a permanent part of the human genome.

Published on: 02-01-2026

Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie

Source: Phys.org