A surprising history of malaria is revealed by clues from ancient bones

How old is malaria?

Researchers used to think it was two or three thousand years old at most — a modern disease that appeared long after most humans gave up the nomadic hunting lifestyle and formed towns and cities, making it easier for diseases to spread quickly and efficiently.

But a study published Wednesday in Nature paints a different picture — and may change the way scientists and historians view this ancient pathogen.