Ancient Plague Linked to Neolithic Population Collapse
TL;DR Summary
Researchers have found evidence of the plague-causing bacterium Yersinia pestis in the bones of 100 Neolithic individuals, suggesting repeated outbreaks contributed to the decline of human populations in Europe thousands of years ago. Analysis of these ancient graves, particularly in Sweden, revealed that the disease was widespread and affected a significant portion of the population, providing new insights into early human life and family structures.
- Tiny organisms found in ancient graves linked to destruction of human populations Yahoo News Australia
- Repeated plague infections across six generations of Neolithic Farmers Nature.com
- Archaeologists Crack the Mystery of the Neolithic Decline Haaretz
- Ancient DNA reveals possible cause of mysterious population collapse 5,000 years ago, scientists say CNN
- The plague may have wiped out most northern Europeans 5000 years ago New Scientist
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