Oldest traces of smallpox virus found in child mummy
Variola DNA in 17th century remains is more direct evidence than earlier mummies’ pockmarks
![Mummy in Lithuanian crypt](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120716_MR-mummy_main.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
ANCIENT POX This mummy was found in a crypt in Lithuania, along with a child mummy that held genetic remnants of variola virus, which causes the pustular rash disease, smallpox.
Kiril Cachovskij/Lithuanian Mummy Project, 2015