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The article presents information on the existence of syphilis and treponemal disease before the Columbian era. The origin of syphilis has been a topic of discussion for many years and much new evidence has been uncovered in the past. The organism that causes syphilis, Treponema pallidum, can also cause yaws and pinta. With varying climates, urbanization and changes in personal hygiene, opportunities for non-venereal transmission of treponemes through direct physical contact decreased and this led to its venereal transmission. The identification of treponematous disease in pre-Columbian times adds to the growing body of knowledge about the history of this disease. Very little evidence of the existence of treponematous disease is available from Sub-Saharan Africa. Southern Africa has not produced archaeological samples which show clear signs of treponemal disease. Since both tibiae are involved and the lesions are mostly bilateral, treponematous disease is the most likely diagnosis.