In the 1970s and 1980s, archaeologists in Somerset, England, discovered a fascinating prehistoric site in a cave called Charterhouse Warren. The site, which contains a 21-meter-deep shaft and two chambers, held Roman and Iron Age artifacts, an auroch (a type of ancient wild cattle), and the remains of at least 30 individuals from around 4,000 years ago. Many of these remains exhibited injuries, suggesting that they may have been thrown into the cave deliberately. In addition to these intriguing details, scientists also found evidence that two of the individuals carried the bacterium Yersinia pestis, the pathogen responsible for the plague. This discovery has sparked new interest in understanding the impact of plague on early European societies.
Researchers like Dr. Pooja Swali and Dr. Frederik Seersholm, geneticists studying ancient diseases, have recently identified Yersinia pestis in the teeth of some of these prehistoric remains. This finding supports a theory that plague outbreaks played a significant role in shaping early European populations, particularly around the transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. This was a time of considerable cultural and demographic changes across the continent, marked by new technologies and shifting population dynamics.
The Neolithic period, ending around this time, is typically known as the era when humans were using polished stone tools but had begun to settle into farming. Agriculture in this era spread throughout Europe, originating around 12,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, and reaching Britain around 6,000 years ago. The Neolithic communities of Britain and Europe, connected through trade networks, left behind massive stone monuments such as Stonehenge in England, the Ring of Brodgar in Scotland, and others across Europe, which reflect a sophisticated society connected to natural rhythms and the changing seasons.
However, something shifted around 4,300 years ago in Britain and slightly earlier in mainland Europe. During this time, archaeologists observe a marked decline in Neolithic monuments and settlements, suggesting social upheaval. This decline is followed by the appearance of the Beaker culture, identified by artifacts like clay beakers and metal items such as copper knives and golden ornaments, which represent the transition to the Bronze Age. The “Amesbury Archer,” a Bronze Age burial found near Stonehenge, exemplifies this shift, showcasing a blend of familiar Neolithic artifacts with distinctly new Bronze Age items.
For a long time, archaeologists debated whether this cultural shift was due to an influx of new people or simply an adaptation by existing populations. Recent genetic research has provided insights into these questions, revealing that the transition was marked by large-scale migrations. Genetic analysis shows that Europe’s population shifted dramatically, with the Bronze Age population descending from people with steppe ancestry, believed to have migrated from the Eurasian steppe region. These migrations introduced new technologies, cultures, and genetic lineages, indicating that this was not merely a cultural adoption but a true demographic shift.
Scientists believe that the spread of the plague could have played a role in these migrations and the resulting genetic turnover. Genetic evidence from sites like Charterhouse Warren supports the theory that the plague, already present in prehistoric Europe, may have contributed to the population decline in Neolithic communities, facilitating the spread of new populations from the steppes.
The spread of steppe ancestry, primarily attributed to the Yamnaya culture, marked a major shift in European prehistory. The Yamnaya, a Bronze Age culture from the steppes of modern-day Ukraine and Russia, practiced burial in barrows or kurgans, much like the barrow burial practices that became prominent in Europe. Artifacts and cultural symbols from this period, like the Kernosivsky idol found in Ukraine, provide glimpses into the lives and beliefs of these early Bronze Age people.
This period of European prehistory highlights the interplay between migration, cultural exchange, and disease, particularly in shaping genetic lineages. Genetic studies reveal three distinct population waves: the original hunter-gatherers, who were largely replaced by Neolithic farmers, and finally, the Bronze Age people with steppe ancestry. Each of these groups represents a major demographic shift, underscoring the complexity of Europe’s prehistoric populations and the role of both technology and health in shaping human history.
With these findings, scientists continue to uncover how prehistoric plagues, combined with cultural shifts, led to transformative changes across Europe during the Neolithic-Bronze Age transition. The study of ancient DNA from remains such as those at Charterhouse Warren provides a direct link to these ancestral populations, illuminating a pivotal period in Europe’s deep past.
