Researchers have harnessed cutting-edge genetic analysis to unravel the enigmatic spread of a devastating plague that traversed continents some 4,000 years ago. By sequencing ancient DNA samples recovered from archaeological sites, scientists pieced together a timeline revealing how the bacterial strain, identified as Yersinia pestis, migrated from European settlements deep into the heart of Asia. This path suggests not only intricate trade networks but also reveals early instances of human movement that facilitated one of history’s earliest pandemics.

The study highlights several key factors believed to have influenced the plague’s journey:

  • Early Bronze Age trade routes serving as conduits for pathogen transmission
  • Human migrations linked with climate shifts impacting settlement…