Plague linked to mysterious disappearance of Europe's first farmers

The oldest known cases of the plague have been found in Europe, dating back 5,000 years. A study based on ancient DNA from individuals in Sweden and Denmark suggests that an ancient form of the plague might have been widespread among Europe’s first farmers, potentially causing their population to collapse over a 400-year period. These Neolithic farmers migrated from the eastern Mediterranean and brought agriculture to Northwestern Europe. The cause of their disappearance between 5,300 and 4,900 years ago is debated, with some attributing it to climate change and others suspecting disease.