Scientists find oldest known evidence of plague dating back 5,500 years (opens original article in a new tab)

Scientists discovered the oldest known plague evidence dating back 5,500 years, revealing its spread among ancient hunter-gatherers and its potential origins from marmots.

• Scientists found the oldest plague evidence from 5,500 years ago, 200 years earlier than previous records.
• Plague outbreaks affected ancient hunter-gatherers near Siberia's Lake Baikal, with cases detected around 5,500 years ago.
• The disease likely spread from marmots to humans through raw organs or infected hides, and between people via coughing and sneezing.
• The study suggests ancient plagues were as deadly as later outbreaks like the Black Death, impacting both urban and nomadic populations.