Ancient DNA Reveals Mystery of Plague of Justinian in Jordan Mass Burial
Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Jerash, Jordan, that is rewriting our understanding of one of the deadliest pandemics in history. For centuries, scientists have debated what actually caused the Plague of Justinian—a devastating epidemic that swept through the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century, killing millions and changing the course of history. Now, researchers have found direct genetic evidence of Yersinia pestis—the same bacteria that later caused the Black Death—in a Byzantine mass burial in Jerash. Why it matters The Plague of Justinian (541–549 AD) has long puzzled historians. Ancient sources described horrific outbreaks, but until now, the biological culprit remained unknown. This discovery ends the debate, proving that the same deadly pathogen had repeatedly struck humanity over the centuries. The science behind the discovery Using advanced ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis, scientists have extracted genetic material from human remains buried together during ...