Several years ago I read that in England colleagues were working in a cemetery that was full of victims of smallpox. At that time there was some question of whether the germ might not still be active. I haven't heard any more on the subject. I would suggest contacting one of the major disease control centers. I don't know the names but I know there is one in Atlanta Ga. Be well all of you. Eliot Braun, Israel Antiquities Authority