Article Abstract:
Recent studies provide evidence that syphilis originated in the Western hemisphere, possibly beginning as a mutation of the related disease yaws. The first clear descriptions of syphilis in Europe date from about 1500 AD. Recent paleopathological studies of 687 New World skeletons show evidence of syphilis in the south and yaws in the north. No cases of syphilis were found in 1000 Old World skeletons dating prior to contact with the New World. Yaws cases in the New World date back as far as 6000 years ago, whereas the earliest cases of syphilis are 800-1600 years old.
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Article Abstract:
Genetic research shows mingling from the migration of two ancient peoples is responsible for the origin of modern Japanese. The Jomon people from southeastern Asia arrived in Japan via Okinawa approximately 12,000 years ago. A second migration from the Korean peninsula of the Yayoi population came to Japan about 2,300 years ago. Tissue samples scanned for two genes, each predominantly carried by one of the two ancient populations, showed distribution in modern Japanese, supporting dual descent.
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Article Abstract:
Hand coring at Monks Mound at Cahokia, IL, has provided evidence suggesting that groundwater drains were placed in the structure. Monks Mound is a 100-ft-tall earthen pyramid. A series of terraces were constructed, culminating in a building on top of the mound. Construction of the mound began around 950 AD. The building dates to around 1050-1100. A collapse of the western side of the upper terraces occurred around 1200 AD, and the mound was subsequently patched.
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