The Conversation

Syphilis sailed the ocean blue: why a bent femur won’t overturn Columbus theory

08-12-2014 Author: The Conversation

So what have we got?Davepape/Painting by John Vanderlyn

In 1495 a horrific new disease appeared in Europe. Acquired by sexual contact and initially spread through Europe by mercenary soldiers from the army of King Charles VIII of France returning from a successful invasion of Italy, this new disease was extraordinarily unpleasant. Commentators at...

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