The first scientific evidence of the Black Death in Edinburgh was discovered on the remains of a teenager who died in the 14th century.
It was discovered that the dental plaque on the child’s teeth contains pathogens of the bacteria responsible for the bubonic plague, transmits
Originally discovered in 1981 in the grounds of St Giles Cathedral, the remains have been subjected to detailed new analysis using advanced methods including ancient DNA sequencing, isotopic analysis and radiocarbon dating.
John Lawson, curator of archeology at Edinburgh City Council, said it was a “very exciting” find.
Lawson said the young man was buried with care, and not in a mass grave, as was more common for victims at the time, according to the BBC.
The skeleton, which dates from 1300-1370, coinciding with the Black Death, was one of 115 exhumed almost 45 years ago to make way for steps inside the cathedral on the Royal Mile.
