A remarkable ancient DNA study has pushed the history of plague much further back than previously believed. Researchers analyzing remains from hunter-gatherer cemeteries in Siberia discovered evidence that plague was already infecting and killing humans around 5,500 years ago.
Surprisingly, these outbreaks occurred long before the rise of cities, large-scale farming, or the rat-associated conditions commonly linked to later plague epidemics. Scientists detected early strains of the plague bacterium in nearly 40% of the individuals examined and found signs of rapid family-based transmission. Many of the victims were children and young teenagers, suggesting devastating outbreaks within small communities.
The findings provide new insights into the ancient origins of one of humanity’s most notorious infectious diseases.
Read more at ScienceDaily