The nasty virus that lasted 4,500 years

THE oldest human virus has been discovered in a 4,500-year old skeleton.

Scientists say the extinct strain of hepatitis B – the potentially lethal liver disease that affects millions – has ‘transformed’ their understanding of the virus.

British scientists said the ‘truly remarkable’ discovery was on a par with finding the first fossils. Previously the oldest detected human viruses dated back around 450 years. The hepatitis B virus has many mutations that no longer exist – and the information could help us prepare for dangerous new strains, scientists said.

The discovery was made by carrying out DNA sampling on a Bronze Age skeleton in Osterhofen, Germany, as part of a wider study of 300 skeletons from central and western Eurasia, which are between 200 and 7,000 years old. The hepatitis B skeleton belonged to the ‘Bell Beaker’ culture, so called because of the bell-shaped pottery cups left behind. The study, published in the journal Nature, said it was not previously known that viruses could become extinct. Joint lead author Barbara Muhlemann, a Cambridge University PhD student, said: ‘People have tried to unravel the history of HBV for decades. This study transforms our understanding of the virus.’