3800-year-old Yersinia pestis genomes suggests Bronze Age origin for bubonic plague

[Jovialis]

Analysis of 3800-year-old Yersinia pestis genomes suggests Bronze Age origin for bubonic plague

Abstract

The origin of Yersinia pestis and the early stages of its evolution are fundamental subjects of investigation given its high virulence and mortality that resulted from past pandemics. Although the earliest evidence of Y. pestis infections in humans has been identified in Late Neolithic/Bronze Age Eurasia (LNBA 5000–3500y BP), these strains lack key genetic components required for flea adaptation, thus making their mode of transmission and disease presentation in humans unclear. Here, we reconstruct ancient Y. pestis genomes from individuals associated with the Late Bronze Age period (~3800 BP) in the Samara region of modern-day Russia. We show clear distinctions between our new strains and the LNBA lineage, and suggest that the full ability for flea-mediated transmission causing bubonic plague evolved more than 1000 years earlier than previously suggested. Finally, we propose that several Y. pestis lineages were established during the Bronze Age, some of which persist to the present day.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04550-9
https://phys.org/news/2018-06-oldest-bubonic-plague-genome-decoded.html

 

[Angela]

Analysis of 3800-year-old Yersinia pestis genomes suggests Bronze Age origin for bubonic plague

Abstract

The origin of Yersinia pestis and the early stages of its evolution are fundamental subjects of investigation given its high virulence and mortality that resulted from past pandemics. Although the earliest evidence of Y. pestis infections in humans has been identified in Late Neolithic/Bronze Age Eurasia (LNBA 5000–3500y BP), these strains lack key genetic components required for flea adaptation, thus making their mode of transmission and disease presentation in humans unclear. Here, we reconstruct ancient Y. pestis genomes from individuals associated with the Late Bronze Age period (~3800 BP) in the Samara region of modern-day Russia. We show clear distinctions between our new strains and the LNBA lineage, and suggest that the full ability for flea-mediated transmission causing bubonic plague evolved more than 1000 years earlier than previously suggested. Finally, we propose that several Y. pestis lineages were established during the Bronze Age, some of which persist to the present day.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04550-9
https://phys.org/news/2018-06-oldest-bubonic-plague-genome-decoded.html

Well, well, flea bite transmitted plague in Srubnaya.

Poor people. I've read a lot of books and articles about the bubonic plague, and it's enough to give you nightmares. I think the only infectious diseases worse are the hemoragic ones, like Ebola.

What still needs to be clarified is the exact mode of transmission of some of the earlier modes, although if I'm interpreting it correctly from a rather cursory reading of that particular part of the article, it seems it might have still been flea transmitted, just a different pathway?

One of the most fascinating (and chilling) parts of the "story" is how often it has devastated Europe, and the connection to major upheavals socially, i.e. the Bronze Age, Justinian's plague (there's a great book called "Justinian's Flea), the Middle Ages etc.

Krause's admixture graph is also quite interesting. Look at the growth of the CHG/Iran Neo in the steppe, present in the Eneolithic, and steadily increasing until it's about 45-50% of the ancestry. We knew that, but this is a very clear representation.

 

[Jovialis]

Indeed, the more we learn about the bubonic plague, the clearer it becomes that it has been a major factor in facilitating changes in population genetics across Euraisa.

The graph is very illuminating in regards to the increase of CHG/Iran Neo in the steppe.

 

[Angela]

Indeed, the more we learn about the bubonic plague, the clearer it becomes that it has been a major factor in facilitating changes in population genetics across Euraisa.

The graph is very illuminating in regards to the increase of CHG/Iran Neo in the steppe.

The comparison between CHG and Iran Neo in the chart is similarly illuminating. The only difference between CHG and Iran Neo, other than a few insignificant little bits and blobs, is a small percentage of what actually looks, here, like Anatolian Neolithic (perhaps 15%?).

So, much as it irritates the usual suspects, there's a lot of Iran Neo "like" ancestry on the steppe.

 

[bicicleur 2]

Krause's admixture graph is also quite interesting. Look at the growth of the CHG/Iran Neo in the steppe, present in the Eneolithic, and steadily increasing until it's about 45-50% of the ancestry. We knew that, but this is a very clear representation.

strange though to find Anatolia Neo in CHG, and much less in Iran Neo

 

[Alyan]

How is it strange? Anatolia and the Caucasus are effective neighbors. And Anatolia would have achieved agriculture with associated population growth way before the Caucasus, leaving plenty of time to intermarry with Caucasians.

 

[Jack Johnson]

What is that red Ust'-Ishim component found in nearly all the Motala, Yamnaya, Eneolithic Samara, Poltavka, Potapovka, and some of the Afanasievo and Srubnaya samples at the K12 level? Is it ANE or Western Siberian Hunter Gatherer (WSHG) related ancestry? I believe the same component was also found in the Steppe Maykop samples too.