Plague Unveiled as Culprit Behind Neolithic Decline in Northern Europe

New DNA research suggests that the plague may have caused the Neolithic decline in Northern Europe around 5,000 years ago. Genetic analysis of human remains from ancient tombs in Scandinavia reveals multiple plague waves that devastated Stone Age farming communities, potentially influencing declines in other parts of Europe.

New DNA research has shed light on the causes behind the Neolithic decline in Northern Europe approximately 5,000 years ago. Plague, rather than previously suspected factors like war or agriculture crises, appears to have been the primary driver of population collapse.

Genetic analysis of human remains from ancient tombs in Sweden and Denmark indicates that the plague caused multiple devastating waves. Notably, 17% of the studied remains showed signs of plague infection at the time of death. These findings point to the plague as a significant factor in the widespread population decline.

The study published in Nature reveals that Neolithic plague is an ancestor to later devastating plagues, including the 6th-century Justinian Plague and the 14th-century Black Death. The high prevalence of plague detected in Scandinavia suggests similar impacts in other parts of Europe, marking a pivotal moment in human history.

(With inputs from agencies.)