Experts Uncover Ancient Teeth That Challenge What We Thought We Knew about the Bubonic Plague

The Black Death was a devastating plague that killed millions in the 14th century. Despite advances in medicine, its origins remained a mystery until recently. Finally, a group of researchers found new answers in an old graveyard, revealing that it was just the first wave of a 500-year-long pandemic.

In June 2022, a group of researchers claimed to have discovered the plague’s origins, a topic of debate among experts for centuries. Modern research revealed that the pandemic was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which was only identified in the late 1800s by Alexandre Yersin.

The plague arrived in Sicily in 1347 via a fleet of ships full of rats and other vermin. The disease would quickly spread to other cities such as Marseilles, Tunis, Italian cities, and London. People did not understand how pandemics spread at the time, so mystical explanations such as “aerial spirit” from sick individuals striking healthy people emerged.

Medical practitioners did not know how to effectively treat the plague’s symptoms, which often worsened things. They also employed spiritual practices and avoided treating infected individuals, which caused disruptions in society as stores closed.

The Black D**th was just one wave of the pandemic, which faded within a few years, but the pandemic would continue for almost half a millennium. It was a dark period that left a lot of questions that were yet to be answered. 

In June 2022, experts from the Max Planck Institute, the University of Tubingen, and the University of Stirling found evidence that the disease emerged in the north of Kyrgyzstan. Dr. Philip Slavin and his team identified the origins of the bubonic plague in the north of Kyrgyzstan. They found a spike in burials in 1338 and 1339 and exhumed 30 skeletons from cemeteries near Lake Issyk Kul.

The researchers believe that the plague may have originated from a rodent population, specifically marmots, in the Kyrgyzstan area, passing the infection on to human populations. Nonetheless, there are still other mysteries from the medieval world, such as the sudden decline of one of the biggest cities at that time.

Ani was a city built on highlands that protected it from enemy attacks. The city walls were constructed in the 7th century AD. Ashot III, an Armenian ruler, chose the city as his empire’s capital in 961 AD, during which the city and the wider Bagratuni kingdom flourished in the “Armenian Golden Age.” At its peak, Ani was a cosmopolitan center of culture, art, and ideas.

Ani’s location at the intersection of trade roads, particularly the Silk Road, contributed to its success as a trade center. As a result, the city was filled with merchants and their wealth during its peak, earning it the nickname “City of 1,001 Churches” and “Cradle of Civilizations.”

Ani was once home to 1,001 churches, though only 40 have been found. It was a cultural melting pot, home to some of the finest architects and artists of the day. The Cathedral of Ani, built by Tdrat in the 10th century, is a testament to its glory days. Even in its ruined state, it is impressive in size and serves as a reminder of Ani’s past power.

The end of Ani’s glory days began with the Byzantine Empire’s seizure of the city in the 11th century. The Bagratunis ceded the city to Byzantine in 1046, which started a series of conflicts over control.

The remaining population did not give up on their prosperous city. The new regime had rules that didn’t sit well with many locals forcing them to find help and solace in their neighbors. This was not a very good idea as more problems arose.

The Zakarid Dynasty never managed to restore Ani as a mighty city, but the city enjoyed a prosperous period under their rule. The Church of St Gregory of Tigran Honents, built in 1215, remains the most intact significant building in the city.

As much as the war was a significant reason why Ani faced mass destruction, more problems were in store. Mother nature had plans for the city that would leave the occupants in a sad state.

After this development, it looked like Ani was completely deserted, but that is not the case. On the contrary, a small population remained in Ani until the 18th century, when the city was abandoned entirely after the departure of its last residents, a group of monks, in 1735.

Ani regained attention in the 19th century when it was under the control of Russia after Russia defeated the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War of the 1870s. Led by Georgian archaeologist Nicholas Marr, excavations occurred at Ani between 1904 and 1917, reconstruction work on endangered buildings was done, and a museum was constructed to house the unearthed artifacts. 

Sadly, Ani’s Russian-led renaissance was short-lived, and it fell foul of the territorial tensions of World War One and came under Ottoman jurisdiction again. After Turkey’s surrender in World War One, Ani was returned to Armenian control, similar to its glory days when the city was under the Bagratuni Empire.

In 1920, Ani was captured by the neighboring Turkish Republic; it remains under Turkish control today. Despite having zero population, Ani has played an essential role on the world stage.

Ani holds significant cultural value to Armenians, despite being situated within Turkey’s contested borders. It is separated by a river gorge but remains close to Armenian hearts. As a result, Armenians can never forget its heritage and prestige in its heydays.

Ani’s impressive ruins are a testament to when Armenia ruled over a powerful empire, one of the world’s mightiest. Ani is one of the most visible and tangible symbols of the greatness of Armenia’s past and a great source of pride. 

Ani’s cultural importance to Armenia has made it a significant point in Turko-Armenian relations. In 1921, the chief of Turkey’s Eastern Front forces claimed he was instructed to wipe the city “off the face of the earth,” and while it was not executed, Turkish troops still caused damage to Ani.

Ani’s contested ownership explains why until 2004, visitors needed a pass from Turkish authorities to visit its ruins. During the 20th century, the Turkish military controlled the city, contributing to its deterioration as a ghost town. 

Even with the constant controversy and continued deterioration, could there be hope for Ani’s resurrection as a tourist attraction? The city has benefited from recent developments recognizing its cultural and historical significance, such as its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. 

Ani’s ghost town may have a new lease of life with an initiative by the Turkish government launched in 2018 to restore its ruins and promote tourism. As a result, the city is no longer restricted by an army permit, and it is gaining attention as a must-see tourist destination.

Ani’s cultural, historical, and archaeological significance, as well as its tourism potential, are being recognized, leading to the possibility of a new chapter in its history. It is a watch this space situation as the once-great city might see a resurgence.