Smallpox In Ancient Civilizations

To get an understanding of anything, you must go to its roots. Only through the core of its foundation can we get a glimpse of the truth. However, smallpox is an exception. Smallpox is an ancient disease whose origin is uncertain. It’s not known exactly when or where was the birth of smallpox. It is probable that smallpox existed before any known civilizations, as this disease is based on the activity of human interaction. Once a person became infected and survived, he would no longer be susceptible to this disease, and smallpox is passed on through interaction with other people. With this information in mind, entire ancient tribes could have carried this disease unknowingly, and only through emigration and immigration could the full extent of this disease been evident. Also, before major civilizations came about, most people lived in isolation from others. This isolation mitigated the spread and influence of smallpox. Once major civilizations came about, however, all of the people who were unknowingly carrying the disease would transmit the disease to many people, and there would probably be records of the plague for us to see. Therefore, it is no coincidence that one of the earliest evidence we have of smallpox is centered around one of the first major known civilizations: Egypt. Although there are no written records of diseases similar to smallpox, scientists have found 3 mummies in Egypt that have conditions in their preserved bodies similar to smallpox. Although there were only 3 mummies found, only important people were mummified and it is likely that there were many others infected. One potential reason why Egypt in particular was introduced to smallpox is because Egypt was a big center of commerce and had many diverse people coming in and out, with as many as

Its influence stretched far into the future and still affects us today. In particular, it affected the Revolutionary