What new details have been discovered about the Justinian Plague?

A mass grave in Jerash, Jordan, has provided new details about the plague's impact on human mobility, urban life, and societal vulnerability.

What microbe caused the Justinian Plague?

DNA analysis from victims in the Jerash mass grave confirms that Yersinia pestis was the causative microbe of the Justinian Plague.

What does the demographic diversity of the victims reveal about the plague?

The diverse demographics of the victims suggest a largely mobile population was affected, drawing parallels to modern pandemic experiences like travel restrictions.

Home / Health / Plague's Human Toll Unearthed in Ancient Mass Grave

Plague's Human Toll Unearthed in Ancient Mass Grave

31 Jan

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Summary

Ancient mass grave in Jordan offers new details on Justinian's Plague.
DNA analysis confirms Yersinia pestis as the plague's cause.
Victims' diverse demographics reveal societal impact and mobility.

Plague's Human Toll Unearthed in Ancient Mass Grave

Archaeological research in Jerash, Jordan, has verified the first Mediterranean mass grave from the Justinian Plague, a pandemic that ravaged the Byzantine empire from AD 541 to AD 750. This discovery, detailed in the Journal of Archaeological Science, offers unprecedented empirical evidence of the plague's impact on human mobility, urban life, and societal vulnerability.

DNA extracted from victims' teeth at the Jerash burial site, identified as a single mortuary event, confirms Yersinia pestis as the plague's microbial agent. The research, involving experts from the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University, reveals a diverse mix of men, women, and ages, indicating a largely mobile population trapped by the crisis. This demographic diversity parallels modern pandemic experiences, such as travel restrictions during COVID-19.