Topic: Biology

Scientists found a 4,000-year-old sheep's remains with DNA from Yersinia pestis, a bacterium that caused an ancient plague. This discovery helps explain how the disease spread across Eurasia.

During the Middle Ages, a devastating plague wiped out one-third of Europe's population. The disease was carried by fleas that infected humans through rats. But did you know that this same bacterium existed even earlier? About 5,000 years ago, during the Bronze Age, Yersinia pestis spread across Eurasia for nearly two millennia before disappearing. Researchers have struggled to understand how it spread without the help of fleas.

An international team led by University of Arkansas archaeologist Taylor Hermes has now found a crucial piece of the puzzle. They detected Yersinia pestis DNA in the remains of a domesticated sheep that lived around 4,000 years ago. This ancient sheep came from Arkaim, a fortified settlement in present-day Russia.

The finding suggests that livestock may have played a role in spreading the plague during the Bronze Age. This helps explain how the disease traveled so widely across Eurasia. The research was published in Cell under the title 'Bronze Age Yersinia pestis genome from sheep sheds light on hosts and evolution of a prehistoric plague lineage.'

Why It Matters

This discovery is important because it helps us understand how diseases spread throughout history. By studying ancient DNA, scientists can learn about the movements of domesticated animals and how they influenced human cultures.

Key Facts

• The ancient plague existed around 5,000 years ago during the Bronze Age.
• Yersinia pestis spread across Eurasia for nearly two millennia before disappearing.
• An international team detected Yersinia pestis DNA in a 4,000-year-old sheep's remains from Arkaim, Russia.
• The finding suggests that livestock may have played a role in spreading the plague during the Bronze Age.
• The research was published in Cell under the title 'Bronze Age Yersinia pestis genome from sheep sheds light on hosts and evolution of a prehistoric plague lineage.'

Key Terms

Yersinia pestis

A bacterium that causes plague, a disease that spreads through fleas or direct contact with infected animals.

Implications

This discovery is important because it helps us understand how diseases spread throughout history. By studying ancient DNA, scientists can learn about the movements of domesticated animals and how they influenced human cultures.