Ancient plagues.
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| Title: | Ancient plagues. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Spinney, Laura (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | New Scientist. 11/1/2025, Vol. 268 Issue 3567, p36-39. 4p. 5 Color Photographs. |
| Subjects: | Yersinia pestis, Human evolution, Suffering, Paleopathology, Pastoral societies, Zoonoses, Communicable diseases |
| Geographic Terms: | Europe |
| Abstract: | The article discusses the discovery of ancient strains of the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, in human DNA samples from Europe, indicating that a significant outbreak occurred around 5000 years ago, predating the well-known Justinian plague. This finding challenges previous beliefs about the timeline and evolution of zoonotic diseases, suggesting that many contagious diseases may have emerged later than previously thought, coinciding with the arrival of nomadic herders known as the Yamnaya. Researchers are exploring the implications of these diseases on human evolution, societal changes, and the potential role of plague in the Neolithic decline, while also considering how these historical insights can inform our understanding of modern infectious diseases. [Extracted from the article] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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