The Plague/Black Death
A plague can be defined as an epidemic disease resulting in high death rates (Antoine, 2008). Throughout history, and even in present day, the plague greatly affects society. The field of anthropology and archaeology have shed light on the disease and its impact from the 1940’s. Because of these fields, it is known that the deadly disease, transferred from rat fleas to humans, is caused by the Yersinia Pestis bacterium, which killed 25 million people in the 14th century (Antoine, 2008).
The early arrival of the plague was in London, England in October of 1347 (Antoine, 2008). As an epidemic disease, it quickly spread throughout the continent of Europe killing millions in its path (Antoine, 2008). This disease comes from the bacteria, Yersinia Pestis. These bacteria first came about in the fleas of rat (Cesana, Benedictow, & Bianucci, 2017). The disease began spreading more quickly as people would pick up the fleas in their clothing or through the trade of food and grains (Cesana, 2017). People who were unfortunate enough to get this deadly disease experienced high fevers, delusions, aching limbs, swelling lymph nodes and exterior growth’s called buboes (Antoine, 2008). Buboes were black, giving the name “black death” to the disease, and would sometimes burst resulting in an uncomfortable feeling (Antoine, 2008).
There are many anthropological and archaeological perspectives and research angles that scientists can take to study the plague from the 1300s. Investigating possible diseases and hosts, climate conditions, artefacts, and environmental factors are all sub-disciplines of archaeology that need to be considered when examining a burial (Antoine, 2008). Dating the burial site to when it was created and used is among one of the top priorities, as it is a main indicator of if the deaths could potentially be from the disease. When examining a corpse, especially one as aged as from the time of the plague, scientists often want to examine the skeleton to see if there is any evidence of disease. Carbon dating is a very commonly used tool for this analysis as it provides the age of a skeleton with high certainty (Metcalfe, 2007) Bones from skeletons and their dental records are often examined macro and microscopically to provide information regarding the person’s lifestyle and potential illnesses or injuries (Metcalfe, 2007). Unfortunately, the plague does not affect bones (Antoine, 2008). Although, many studies have been conducted on excavated burials from the plague’s time period and extractions of skeletal DNA have shown signs of Yersinia Pestis (Antoine, 2008). A study by Bianucci, et al. (2008) used ancient remains from several burial sites in France to extract DNA from ancient bones to potentially discover Yersinia Pestis F1 antigen (Bianucci et al., 2008). The methods included extracting 50mg of bone material, reconstructing it into a saline solution and subjected it to freezing and thawing cycles (Bianucci et al., 2008). The rapid diagnostic test (RDT), was then used to detect the Yersinia Pestis F1 antigen (Bianucci et al., 2008). Of the skeletons looked at from the burial site, 67.9% tested positively for the antigen (Bianucci et al., 2008). This is one of many examples of how scientists use the resources they have to identify disease from ancient remains.
It is obvious that a disease that caused such great amount of fatalities had a large impact on the regions it directly affected, as well as the rest of the world (Stenseth et al., 2008). While the disease’s main geographic region was Europe, killing at least one third of the population, it also affected some of East Asia and Africa (Peschke, 2007). Societal effects of the plague were not immediate, and would show about a generation after the disease died down (Peschke, 2007). Peasants would have trouble finding labor, eventually leading to them becoming more poor as higher class citizens became wealthier (Peschke, 2007). This, along with the many other effects of the plague is said to have shaped the world into what it has become today (Peschke, 2007).
As this disease made a huge dent in the world hundreds of years ago, people often do not realize it is still occurring today. In the 1990’s, the world saw a reoccurrence of this unfortunate disease (Stenseth et al., 2008). Since then, about 5000 people have died and, about 150 people die each year (Stenseth et al., 2008). Most countries affected are in Africa, Madagascar being one of the mainly affected regions (Chanteau et al., 2000). It wasn’t until the 1950’s when medications were developed to try and prevent or cure the plague. Antibiotics are the main contributor to the reduction in the spread of the plague in the last 70 years. A study conducted by Chanteau, et al. (2000) tested for the common age and sex groups that are more susceptible to the disease in Madagascar. They found that it is most common in males and adolescence for the main reason of being more exposed to the disease than elder people or women (Chanteau et al., 2017)
In conclusion, the plague has made a large impact on society throughout hundreds of years. Some generations experienced this deadly disease much worse than others, but it is certainly one of the major contributors to the events that lead society to be what it is today. As medical and anthropological field expands, present day humans are gaining knowledge on the ancient disease and constantly coming up with ways to prevent and treat victims, making sure nothing like what happened in the 1340’s occurs again.