MPI EVA leads cutting-edge studies on human evolution, genetics, and anthropology; in the news for ancient plague DNA revealing early outbreaks and pathogen emergence.
Scientists have analysed teeth from hunter-gatherers around Lake Baikal and found plague DNA in 18 individuals, showing two distinct outbreaks about 5,500 years ago and earlier emergence of Yersinia pestis at least 5,700 years ago. The findings challenge the idea that plague began with farming.