Yersinia pestis

Ancient DNA reveals the earliest known outbreak of plague

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Researchers examine ancient burial remains in the Caucasus region, revealing DNA evidence of the earliest known outbreak of plague.

This groundbreaking research, published in the journal Nature, indicates that the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, was present in human populations much earlier than previously documented. The findings suggest that the pathogen may have been circulating in human communities around 3000 BCE, challenging long-held beliefs about its timeline and geographical spread. For a deeper look into … Read more

A Deadly Outbreak of Plague Nearly 5,000 Years Before the Black Death

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Researchers excavate a burial site in Europe, uncovering ancient human remains that contain DNA evidence of the plague, highlighting a significant outbreak nearly 5,000 years before the Black Death.

This finding, reported in October 2023, indicates that the disease may have impacted societies during the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age. The presence of the plague in this era challenges long-held beliefs about the timeline of infectious diseases and their effects on human history, particularly in relation to population movements and societal changes. Experts … Read more