The oldest known evidence of the plague has been unearthed in ancient teeth from Siberia, pushing the timeline of the deadly bacterium back by some 200 years. Researchers found traces of Yersinia pestis in human remains dating to over 5,500 years ago, according to a study published in Phys.org. This discovery rewrites the history of one of humanity's most feared pathogens.
Previously, the earliest documented plague cases were dated to around 5,300 years ago. The new finding places the bacterium in Siberia during the late Neolithic period, long before the infamous Justinian Plague or the Black Death. This suggests the pathogen may have circulated in ancient populations far earlier than scientists realized.
The evidence comes from genetic analysis of teeth, which can preserve DNA from blood-borne infections for millennia. Researchers extracted and sequenced the ancient pathogen's genome, confirming it belonged to Yersinia pestis. The strain appears to be an early form, lacking some genetic traits found in later, more virulent versions.
This discovery raises questions about how the plague spread and evolved in prehistoric communities. The Siberian region, with its ancient trade routes and animal migrations, may have served as an early reservoir. Understanding these early outbreaks could shed light on the bacterium's adaptation to humans and its eventual role in history's deadliest pandemics.
The findings challenge existing models of plague emergence, though some experts argue that isolated cases do not prove widespread epidemics. Further excavations and genetic studies are needed to map the pathogen's ancient distribution and confirm its impact on Neolithic populations.