Ancient teeth from Siberia rewrite the plague’s timeline, dating back to over 5,500 years ago
This 2006 image from Angela Lieverse shows the skull of a young girl who was buried with victims of the plague in Siberia. (Angela Lieverse via AP
NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have found the oldest known evidence of the plague, which sparked deadly outbreaks dating back about 5,500 years ago — some 200 years earlier than previously thought.
The disease has sickened humans for thousands of years and wiped out a significant chunk of Europe's population in the 14th century during what's known as the Black Death. Though rare, the plague is still around today and is treated with antibiotics.
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