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5,500-year-old plague outbreak killed Siberian hunter-gatherers, ancient DNA reveals

Plague struck hunter-gatherer communities near Lake Baikal 5,500 years ago. The disease caused rapid family-based outbreaks that killed many children and young teenagers. This evidence shows the plague existed before the rise of farming, cities, or rat-infested conditions.

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New data reveals the plague killed nearly 40% of studied individuals and specifically targeted youth.

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  1. Ancient DNA identifies oldest known plague outbreak in Siberia

    Plague struck hunter-gatherer communities near Lake Baikal 5,500 years ago. The disease caused rapid family-based outbreaks that killed many children and young teenagers. This evidence shows the plague existed before the rise of farming, cities, or rat-infested conditions.

    What's confirmed:

    • Plague DNA found in graves near Lake Baikal provides the oldest known evidence of the disease.
    • The outbreak occurred 5,500 years ago among hunter-gatherers.
    • The disease existed before the emergence of agriculture, cities, and crowded settlements.
    • Researchers found plague strains in nearly 40% of the individuals studied.
    • Outbreaks occurred rapidly within families and killed many children and young teenagers.
    confidence 100%

  2. Ancient DNA reveals plague outbreak among Siberian hunter-gatherers

    Plague outbreaks affected hunter-gatherers near Lake Baikal over 5,500 years ago. These findings identify some of the earliest known victims of the disease. The discovery stems from the analysis of ancient teeth.

    What's confirmed:

    • Plague outbreaks occurred among Lake Baikal hunter-gatherers 5,500 years ago.
    • Ancient DNA from Siberia reveals a plague outbreak that killed hunter-gatherers.
    • The outbreak occurred over 5,500 years ago.
    confidence 100%