Recent genomic studies shed light on Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of historical plagues, linking archaeological findings to genetic data. One study analyzed a 6th-century mass grave in Jerash, Jordan, discovering a nearly identical Y. pestis strain among five individuals, indicating a singular lineage associated with the Justinianic Plague. The second study compiled 326 genomes, revealing that multiple strains emerged independently from various reservoirs throughout history. These insights redefine our understanding of plague transmission routes over time.
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