Ancient Plague Linked to Collapse of Europe's First Farmers
New DNA evidence suggests widespread plague infections contributed to the mysterious decline of Neolithic populations in Northern Europe.
- Study analyzed DNA from 108 prehistoric individuals across Sweden and Denmark.
- Findings indicate 17% were infected with an early form of Yersinia pestis.
- Three distinct plague waves were identified over 120 years.
- Plague likely spread human-to-human rather than via fleas.
- Population decline also attributed to poor health and agricultural challenges.
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