"Unearthing Lethal Stone Age Epidemics"

A recent study reveals that Stone Age populations in Scandinavia suffered and often died from bacterial diseases such as meningitis and food poisoning due to close living quarters and lack of antibiotics. The study, which screened 38 individuals from farmer and hunter-gatherer contexts, found microbial DNA in the remains of infected humans, shedding light on the impact of lifestyle transitions on health during the Stone Age. The research highlights the prevalence of bacterial diseases spread through food and water, emphasizing the potential for further exploration of prehistoric societies.