Bubonic plague discovered in ancient Egyptian mummy DNA

The bubonic plague, often associated with its devastating impact on 14th century Europe, has been traced back to skeletons in modern-day Russia dating as far back as 5,000 years ago. Recent analysis has now confirmed the first known case of plague outside Eurasia in a 3,290-year-old ancient Egyptian mummy.

Yersinia pestis, also known as the Black Death, is a notorious disease transmitted by fleas on rodents. The bubonic plague initially presents flu-like symptoms and progresses to painful swelling of lymph nodes, high fever, chills, and other severe symptoms. Without modern antibiotic treatments, the mortality rate can be as high as 30-90%.

In addition to its impact on Europe in the 14th century, the bubonic plague is believed to be responsible for the Plague of Justinian in the 6th century CE and an epidemic in China, Mongolia, and India in 1855. Researchers have now confirmed the presence of Y. pestis in ancient Egypt through DNA analysis of a mummy dating back to the Second Intermediate Period or early New Kingdom.

The team of researchers discovered traces of Y. pestis in the mummy’s DNA, indicating that the individual suffered from the plague before death. This finding marks the first reported prehistoric Y. pestis genome outside Eurasia, providing molecular evidence of plague in ancient Egypt.

Evidence of the bubonic plague in ancient Egypt has been theorized for years, but the discovery of Y. pestis remnants in mummy DNA now offers concrete proof. The researchers hope that their findings will contribute to further studies on the transmission and pathology of the plague in ancient Egypt.

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