Black Death Skeletons Found in Plague Pit

 48 skeletons of men, women, and children have been found in a plague pit near an ancient monastery in rural England. 27 of the 48 ranged in age from a newborn baby to adolescents.

DNA extracted from teeth and sent to McMaster Ancient DNA Centre at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario has shown the people buried there died from Bubonic Plague. It is likely that as the disease ran rampant through their village, so many became ill so quickly, and died within days, that normal burial practices were abandoned.

Many of those who fell ill probably sought help from the nearby monks who would have offered what help they could. Some would have been brought by family in hopes the monks would see to their burial.

Even though the 48 were in a mass grave, they were not dumped in a heap. In fact each body was laid out East to West, not overlapping or touching the body next to them. 

Rare plague pit with 48 skeletons — from newborn to elderly — shows a society cut down by the Black Death

DNA reveals what caused London's Great Plague

An interesting article has been written stating that DNA analysis of skeletons found in an ancient burial ground in central London has identified presence of the bacteria responsible for the Great Plague of London.

From the article:

In 1665, the Great Plague of London killed more than 75,000 people in the space of a year, almost a quarter of the city's population back then. It caused 8,000 deaths per week during its peak in September 1665.

It was believed by many scientists and archaeologists that this Plague was in fact the Bubonic Plague but no proof existed. Skeletons dating from the 17th century were found More than 3,300 skeletons were discovered in 2015 at the site known as the Bedlam burial ground, near Liverpool Street station in London, within the New Churchyard archaeological site. You can read my earlier article about this find at Digging up Bodies of Those Buried in Bedlam

When their DNA was extracted and sequenced, the proof was evident. The Great Plague was in fact the Bubonic Plague. One of the individuals i wrote about in my New Netherland series of books was devastated when the Bubonic Plague (Black Death) hit his family in 1636. See New Netherland Settlers: The Stevensen and Jacobsen Families.

Also see my article Possible Black Death Graves from 14th Century Found in London England

DNA is a marvelous tool for solving many  puzzles. If you have not yet had your DNA tested, you really should! I've had my DNA tested at several different companies and have learned a great many interesting things. You can read about my discoveries and explanations of DNA testing at http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.ca/search/label/DNA

I recommend this Free Shipping with DNA Kit Purchase at Ancestry.com!

Continue reading DNA from ancient skeletons reveals cause of London's Great Plague

16th Century Plague Graffiti Found on Walls of Church

This fascinating yet sad story begins with 

"Heartbreaking" graffiti uncovered in a Cambridgeshire church has revealed how three sisters from one family died in a plague outbreak in 1515. The names Cateryn, Jane and Amee Maddyngley and the date were inscribed on stonework in Kingston parish church." (BBC News)

Continue reading this story and see the photos of the graffiti at Cambridgeshire church plague graffiti reveals 'heartbreaking' find

Possible Black Death Graves from 14th Century Found in London England

Archaeologists said on Friday they had discovered a lost burial ground during excavations for a massive new rail project in London which might hold the bodies of some 50,000 people who were killed by the "Black Death" plague more than 650 years ago.

Thirteen skeletons, laid out in two careful rows, were found 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) below the road in the Farringdon area of central London by researchers working on the 16 billion pound ($24 billion) Crossrail project.

Historical records had indicated the area, described as a "no man's land", had once housed a hastily established cemetery for victims of the bubonic plague which killed about the third of England's population following its outbreak in 1348.

Read Rail dig may have found London's lost 'Black Death' graves for more details