New research from a prehistoric cemetery near Lake Baikal reveals disturbing evidence that the plague has affected humanity far longer than previously thought, challenging romanticised notions of ancient lifestyles and reshaping our understanding of early human societies.

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…

Discovery in Siberia suggests bacterium from raw marmots devastated hunter-gatherer tribes about 5,500 years ago

Scientists say the find could provide clues on how pathogens may emerge in the future