disease
Probing the pathogens that afflicted ancient humanity
In the first part of a review of pathogens in human origins, I examine a sampling of infectious diseases in people today and their diverse origins.
![A colorful image of a virus preparing to enter a cell.](/content/images/size/w1460/2023/01/zika-virus-illustration-david-goodsell-wikipedia-cc-by.jpg)
Darwin witnessing the plagues of European colonization
He described the destruction of Indigenous peoples as the result of a “mysterious agency” but saw the evidence of infectious disease firsthand.
![The sailing ship H.M.S. Beagle with a small craft bearing dark-skinned people](/content/images/size/w1460/2022/01/hms-beagle-wikipedia.jpg)