5,500 Years Ago, Something Was Killing Humans in Prehistoric Siberia -- New Research Has Finally Revealed This Ancient Assassin

The Debrief ^ | June 21, 2026 | Micah Hanks

[SunkenCiv]

A longstanding archaeological mystery has loomed over discoveries at ancient burial sites in eastern Siberia: why were so many children and adolescents among the dead?

Now, according to a recent study in the journal Nature, DNA recovered from human remains found in burial sites at four cemeteries near Lake Baikal in eastern Siberia may finally reveal the answer.

Thousands of years ago, prior to the rise of ancient medieval cities -- and their often-rat-infested streets -- a disease famously associated with these rodents had already ravaged communities of prehistoric hunter-gatherers.

The research, based on reconstructions of ancient bacterial genomes preserved in the teeth of these ancient Siberians, revealed the presence of previously unknown strains of Yersinia pestis -- the bacteria responsible for plague -- providing fresh evidence that the lethal disease was already manifesting and killing human populations at least as far back as 5,500 years ago.

[sit-rep]

Silenzium, A trio of Russian Babe Violinists have a song about the Shamans!!

Silenzium - Northern Lights [Official Video]

[takebackaustin]

Don’t you mean pustulated ? ( Groan )

[Red Badger]

😁...............................

[thepoodlebites]

Modern writing style is so disingenuous. Maybe you’ll fund out in the last sentence. Then again, maybe not. Click bait writers rejoice.

[GingisK]

Judging by that photo, I’d suggest that a runaway asphalt roller was killing people.

[SunkenCiv]

Time travel angle on a S. King novel?

[Veto!]

gorgeous. thank you. Helped me remember why I found it so interesting.