Lethal plague outbreaks in Lake Baikal hunter-gatherers 5,500 years ago

Analyses of ancient DNA from hunter-gatherers near Lake Baikal in southeast Siberia around 5,500 years ago indicate that highly virulent Yersinia pestis emerged earlier than previously estimated. The findings suggest the plague's presence was far from the next known cases of infection in Late Neolithic Europe. This discovery challenges existing timelines for the spread of the bacterium, which causes the disease plague. The research team extracted genetic material from skeletal remains, allowing for detailed analysis of pathogen DNA. The specific strain identified exhibits genetic markers associated with high virulence, implying a significant impact on the ancient populations. This study, published in Nature on June 17, 2026, provides crucial insights into the early history and geographic distribution of plague, a disease that has historically caused devastating pandemics. The implications extend to understanding the evolutionary trajectory of Yersinia pestis and its interactions with human populations over millennia. Further research may focus on identifying additional ancient sites to map the full extent of early plague outbreaks.