Researchers find evidence of plague in Siberian teeth dating back 5,500 years
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Scientists have identified traces of plague-causing bacteria in ancient human remains near Lake Baikal. The findings suggest the disease may have been present in the region approximately 200 years earlier than previously estimated.
Amalgamated from Phys.org (opens in new tab), NY Post (opens in new tab), The Independent (opens in new tab)
Researchers have identified traces of Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for the plague, in human remains located near Lake Baikal in Siberia. According to reports from Phys.org and the NY Post, analysis of ancient teeth at these sites revealed evidence dating back more than 5,500 years.
The discovery suggests that the disease was present in the region significantly earlier than previous estimates had indicated. The study involved examining remains from four cemeteries near Lake Baikal to track the history of the pathogen.
By identifying the bacteria in these ancient samples, scientists have established some of the oldest known evidence of the plague. These findings move the documented timeline for the disease back by approximately 200 years, providing a new perspective on how the infection may have moved across Eurasia over several millennia.
Why this matters
The discovery significantly pushes back the recorded history of one of humanity's deadliest diseases. It provides a new benchmark for researchers studying the historical movement and evolution of *Yersinia pestis* across the Eurasian continent.
What's confirmed / what isn't
Both Phys.org and the NY Post report on the discovery of 5,500-year-old teeth containing plague bacteria near Lake Baikal. The specific estimation that this moves the timeline back by 200 years is based on the comparison between these findings and previous scientific records.
Background
The plague is caused by the bacterium *Yersinia pestis*. It has historically caused several major pandemics in human history, including the Black Death during the 14th century.