研究在古老墓葬中发现最早鼠疫，破解历史谜团
Plague is one of the most feared diseases in human history. It has sparked huge pandemics that changed societies dramatically. The Black Death of the Middle Ages, for example, killed an estimated half of Europe's population. Its impact was so great that it influenced art, literature, and even religious practices. For decades, scientists have searched for the earliest evidence of this deadly illness. A new study published in a scientific journal finally provides a breakthrough.
The study examined remains from a prehistoric hunting and gathering community. These ancient people lived in small groups, moving from place to place. They hunted animals and collected wild foods for survival. The site dates back around 5,500 years and is located in what is now Latvia. Researchers found clear signs of plague infection in several skeletons. This marks the earliest known lethal outbreak of the disease in humans. The lead researcher noted that finding plague in such an ancient context was unexpected. It helps to answer the big question of when plague first became a threat to people.
Inspired by Scientific American reporting · Rewritten by Vocabsavvy · Vocabsavvy Original (inspired-by attribution)