"Deadly Kisses: Ancient Scandinavian Bodies Uncover Surprising Secrets"

A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals that ancient Scandinavian bodies dating back 6,000 years show evidence of deadly bacterial infections, including Y. pestis, the bacteria that causes the plague, making it the oldest case of the plague found in remains to date. The shift from nomadic to agricultural communities led to increased population density and interactions with livestock, resulting in infections from food, water, and close human contact. The presence of bacteria causing meningitis and gonorrhea reflects the cultural change as people became less nomadic and started living in larger communities at the end of the Stone Age.