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New Research Traces Black Death's Origins to Kyrgyzstan

2/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Black Death, a catastrophic plague that swept through Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa starting in 1347, claimed nearly 60% of the population. New research reveals its roots in Central Asia, particularly around Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan, where signs of a prior epidemic in 1338 were connected to the deadly Yersinia pestis bacterium.

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Story summary

The Black Death, a catastrophic plague that swept through Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa starting in 1347, claimed nearly 60% of the population. New research reveals its roots in Central Asia, particularly around Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan, where signs of a prior epidemic in 1338 were connected to the deadly Yersinia pestis bacterium.