Scientists have recently reached a remarkable conclusion on the causative agent of the Plague of Justinian. This pandemic, the world’s first well-documented, swept across the Byzantine Empire between AD 541 and 750. The findings reveal direct genomic evidence of the bacterium Yersinia pestis, responsible for the outbreak, which significantly influenced both the empire’s structure and Western civilization as a whole.
The study’s authors were able to find DNA from individual human remains in mass graves. These graves, dating to the 1918-1919 pandemic, were located at the Jerash site in Jordan. This groundbreaking find provides priceless insight into exactly how the Plague of Justinian spread and wreaked its annihilating toll on human populations. The study not only illuminates a dark chapter in history but highlights the continual threat posed by this ancient pathogen.
The Historical Context of the Plague of Justinian
The Plague of Justinian, we can say with confidence, did kill tens of millions during its three centuries-long course. It first appeared in the world in Pelusium, today Tell el-Farama, Egypt. From there, it moved rapidly across the rest of the Eastern Roman Empire. The pandemic did not merely sweep the floor, but fundamentally upended the order of the Byzantine Empire, its societal repercussions reverberating through time.
As a result, Yersinia pestis has been circulating among human populations for thousands of years. It was this bacterium, Yersinia pestis, that was responsible for the Plague of Justinian. Its introduction during this time period was a major turning point. It altered not just the racial makeup of the region but the social landscape itself. Y. pestis moved quickly and swept through communities with alarming mortality. This in turn drove significant shifts in governance, economic development and practices of public health.
As researchers mentioned, this current pandemic is a warning sign for future outbreaks. They make comparisons to the Black Death that impacted much of Europe and Asia in the 14th century. Genomic analyses reveal that victims of the Plague of Justinian bore almost identical strains of Y. pestis. This finding is more consistent with a rapid and deadly outbreak—much like described in historical writings, as opposed to the later pandemics.
Revolutionary Findings from Jerash
The Jerash excavation site uncovered mass graves under the ruins of a Roman hippodrome. This find provides modern-day researchers an incredible opportunity to study ancient human history through cutting-edge scientific methods. The study analyzed over 1,200 samples from this site, providing a wealth of information about the plague’s impact on ancient populations.
At the time of the study’s release in 2007, Greg O’Corry-Crowe, a principal investigator with the study, called the implications of their findings unprecedented.
“Using targeted ancient DNA techniques, we successfully recovered and sequenced genetic material from eight human teeth excavated from burial chambers beneath the former Roman hippodrome in Jerash, a city just 200 miles from ancient Pelusium.” – Greg O’Corry-Crowe
This careful genomic investigation identified Yersinia pestis, the plague bacillus. This corroborated this discovery in the vicinity of the Byzantine Empire during the time AD 550 to 660. The genetic homogeneity of plague victims indicates a rapid onset contagion. This further correlates with anecdotal descriptions from history of the disease’s tragic toll.
Perhaps the most important lesson we can learn from Jerash is this: pandemics are not one-time occurrences. Rather, they’re just repeating biological realities, molded by our actions and changes in the environment. The ever-present danger of Yersinia pestis is emphasized by contemporary health issues being experienced around the world today.
“This research was both scientifically compelling and personally resonant. It offered an extraordinary opportunity to delve into the study of human history through the lens of ancient DNA at a time when we ourselves were living through a global pandemic.” – Greg O’Corry-Crowe
Implications for Understanding Pandemics
Rays H. Y. Jiang, another key researcher, emphasized the significance of these findings in understanding historical pandemics and their implications for modern society.
Jiang further commented on how these discoveries can help guide modern epidemic-response efforts.
“This discovery provides the long-sought definitive proof of Y. pestis at the epicenter of the Plague of Justinian.” – Rays H. Y. Jiang
He was careful to reiterate that even with all the improvements in medicine and containment measures, Yersinia pestis is still changing. Even as this evolution continues, public health is at constant risk.
“The Jerash site offers a rare glimpse of how ancient societies responded to public health disaster.” – Rays H. Y. Jiang
He pointed out that despite advances in medicine and containment measures, Yersinia pestis continues to evolve and poses ongoing risks to public health.
“We’ve been wrestling with plague for a few thousand years and people still die from it today,” Jiang remarked. “Like COVID, it continues to evolve, and containment measures evidently can’t get rid of it.” – Jiang