New research absolves Columbus of bringing syphilis from the Americas

For more than five centuries, the debate has raged about the origins of syphilis - a sexually transmitted disease that can be deadly if left untreated - in Europe. Some scientists believe that Christopher Columbus was responsible for bringing it from the New World, but new research suggests that the disease may have been present on the old continent before 1492.

In fact, archaeologists have found skeletons buried at a London church between the years 1200 and 1400 that show characteristics of syphilis, such as rough patches on the skulls and limbs, according to the Daily Mail.

Brian Connell from the Museum of London, who studied the newfound bones, said the findings "[put] the nail in the coffin of the Columbus theory."

While this discovery may eventually contribute to discovering the exact provenance of syphilis, it is important to remember that the disease is still present in modern populations, despite the existence of powerful treatments.

In fact, health officials reported over 36,000 cases of syphilis in the U.S. in 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moreover, rates of primary and secondary syphilis have been on the increase since 2000, and the trend is particularly pronounced among men.