The world’s first known plague victim was a 5,000-year-old hunter-gatherer in Europe

Humanity has been ravaged by the plague — one of the deadliest bacterial infections in history — for thousands of years. Now, scientists have found an ancient strain of the bacteria in the world’s oldest known plague victim.Humanity has been ravaged by the plague — one of the deadliest bacterial infections in history — for thousands of years. Now, scientists have found an ancient strain of the bacteria in the world’s oldest known plague victim.