Ancient Plague Strain Killed Siberian Children

Ancient DNA analysis of 5,500-year-old Siberian graves has revealed a novel plague strain, potentially the oldest evidence of the disease in humans. This ancient bacterium, identified in hunter-gatherer communities near Lake Baikal, featured a genetic superantigen that made infections particularly lethal for children. The discovery challenges the epidemiological theory that infectious diseases could not decimate mobile groups.

Researchers found a high rate of plague infection among individuals in the cemeteries, with evidence of mass mortality occurring over a short period. The genetic research indicated transmission within families, suggesting a lack of understanding of how the disease spread. This ancient strain, originating approximately 5,700 years ago, differs from known plague strains and may have been transmitted through interactions with marmots.

The findings strengthen the hypothesis that plague originated in Central or Northeast Asia thousands of years before agriculture. This challenges previous assumptions about the bacterium's evolution and spread, highlighting the complex role of various human lifestyles in disease evolution. Further research is needed to fully understand the ancient plague's transmission pathways.