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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Science
Adithi Ramakrishnan

Ancient DNA rewrites plague history after deadly outbreaks found in Siberia 5,500 years ago

This 2006 image from Angela Lieverse shows the skull of a young girl who was buried with victims of the plague in Siberia - (Angela Lieverse)

Scientists have discovered the oldest known evidence of the plague, pushing its documented history back by some 200 years to approximately 5,500 years ago.

The groundbreaking finding offers a crucial new perspective on the origins of a disease that has profoundly shaped human civilisation, including the devastating Black Death of the 14th century.

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