The True Story of Syphilis: Unveiling the History and Origins

🔍A skeleton unearthed in an English monastery challenges the history of syphilis, suggesting its existence in the Old World before Christopher Columbus.

💀The skeleton provides evidence of the widespread presence of syphilis among the elite in a prosperous community in the 1300s.

💡The friary where the skeleton was found was part of the Augustinian order, known for their good works, religious calling, and care for the sick.

🍷The hull friars were positioned in the commercial heart of the town, close to the bustling port, and had access to imported wine.

📜The presence of syphilis in the friary challenges the previous belief that syphilis originated from the Native American Indians and was brought to Europe by Columbus's crew.

How does the skeleton challenge the history of syphilis?

—The skeleton suggests the existence of syphilis in the Old World before Christopher Columbus, contradicting the belief that syphilis originated from the Native American Indians.

What evidence supports the widespread presence of syphilis in the community?

—The excavation at the hull site revealed more than 240 skeletons, with over 60 percent showing signs of syphilis, including characteristic lesions on the skull and bone formation on the legs.

What was the role of the Augustinian friars in the community?

—The friars were known for their good works, religious calling, and care for the sick. They provided social services to the poor and were skilled in medicine.

What was the significance of the friary's location?

—The friary was positioned in the commercial heart of the town, close to the port. They had access to imported wine and sold burial plots within their church to the wealthy.

What impact does this discovery have on the history of syphilis?

—The presence of syphilis in the friary challenges the previous belief that syphilis originated from the Native American Indians and was brought to Europe by Columbus's crew.

00:00This video unveils the true story of syphilis and challenges the history of its origins.

05:58A skeleton unearthed in an English monastery provides evidence of syphilis' existence in the Old World before Christopher Columbus.

09:30The friary where the skeleton was found belonged to the Augustinian order, who were known for their good works and care for the sick.

12:15The hull friary was positioned in the commercial heart of the town, close to the bustling port, and had access to imported wine.

13:45The excavation at the hull site revealed more than 240 skeletons, with over 60 percent showing signs of syphilis.

15:30The presence of syphilis in the friary challenges the previous belief that syphilis originated from the Native American Indians and was brought to Europe by Columbus's crew.