Ancient-DNA reveals an Asian type of Mycobacterium leprae in medieval Scandinavia

► Leprosy is a disease of great impact on the history of human societies in the old world. ► Studies have shown distinct phylogeographic patterns of the bacterium. ► In this study we DNA-typed human skeletons from medieval Scandinavia for leprosy markers. ► First report of the Middle East/Asia associated 'SNP subtype' 2G in Europe.