Archaeologists in Germany Discover a Mass Grave from the Black Plague

A team of archaeologists in Germany has located a historic mass grave dating back to the time of the Black Plague in Europe, providing a rare opportunity to understand the scale of the health disaster that claimed millions of lives in the 14th century.

The site is located near the abandoned village of Neusiedl outside the city of Erfurt, and researchers believe it contains the remains of thousands of victims who died between 1346 and 1353, a period during which half of the population in some European regions perished.

Combining History and Science to Uncover the Grave

The team relied on a mix of historical documents, land measurements, and sediment analysis to accurately pinpoint the grave's location, after centuries of losing track of mass burial sites. Geographer Michael Hein from Leipzig University confirmed that the study's results published in PLOS One indicate the identification of one of these graves, while excavations are needed for final confirmation.

Details of the Burial and Surrounding Environment

Analyses showed that the burials took place in soil rich in organic materials and carbonates on the edge of the Gera River valley, while wet clay lands were avoided due to the slow decomposition of bodies. This arrangement reflects its alignment with medieval beliefs about miasma and the association of disease spread with polluted air.

Importance of the Discovery for Science and History

Ulrike Weirban from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research confirmed that confirmed mass graves from the Black Plague are extremely rare in Europe, with fewer than ten known sites. This discovery allows for the study of the evolution of the Yersinia pestis bacteria, understanding mortality rates, and the responses of European communities to historical epidemics.

The site represents a living example of the integration of historical research and modern scientific methods in uncovering lost chapters of human history, providing valuable insights into the spread of the Black Plague and its impact on cities and communities in the Middle Ages.