Genetic evidence of the Justinianic Plague

[Eldorado]

"An international team of researchers has analyzed human remains from 21 archaeological sites to learn more about the impact and evolution of the plague-causing bacterium Yersinia pestis during the first plague pandemic (541-750 AD).

"In a study published in PNAS, the researchers reconstructed 8 plague genomes from Britain, Germany, France and Spain and uncovered a previously unknown level of diversity in Y. pestis strains. Additionally, they found the first direct genetic evidence of the Justinianic Plague in the British Isles.

"The Justinianic Plague began in 541 in the Eastern Roman Empire, ruled at the time by the Emperor Justinian I, and recurrent outbreaks ravaged Europe and the Mediterranean basin for approximately 200 years."

Full report at Max Planck: https://www.shh.mpg.de/1332424/plague-pandemic?utm_source=miragenews&%3Butm_medium=miragenews&%3Butm_campaign=news

The Paper: https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2019/06/03/1820447116