Plague was killing entire families thousands of years before the Black Death

Ancient DNA reveals that plague was already killing hunter-gatherers in Siberia 5,500 years ago, long before cities and flea-driven epidemics. The prehistoric strains may have been especially dangerous because they carried a genetic factor capable of provoking severe immune reactions.

Published on RocksNews: 18 Sept 2026, 13:06 UTC
Updated: 18 Sept 2026, 13:06 UTC
Language: English

Plague was killing entire families thousands of years before the Black Death — Plague was killing entire families thousands of years before the Black Death — Image credit: ScienceDaily

Ancient DNA reveals that plague was already killing hunter-gatherers in Siberia 5,500 years ago, long before cities and flea-driven epidemics. The prehistoric strains may have been especially dangerous because they carried a genetic factor capable of provoking severe immune reactions.

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Plague was killing entire families thousands of years before the Black Death | RocksNews