Mass grave discovered in Germany

Archaeologists from Leipzig University have discovered a large 14th-century burial site in central Germany, near the medieval village of Neuses, which may be linked to the plague epidemic known as the "Black Death." According to scientists, the find represents one of the mass graves of victims of one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to the scientific journal PLOS One, the research began with an analysis of historical chronicles of the city of Erfurt. They state that in 1350, during the peak of the epidemic in the region, about 12 thousand people were buried in 11 large grave pits outside the city walls.

Using modern methods - ground-penetrating radar scanning and drilling - scientists were able to identify an underground structure with mixed deposits and fragments of human bones. Radiocarbon analysis confirmed that the remains date back to the 14th century.

The research leader Michael Hein noted that the data obtained indicates with a high degree of probability the discovery of one of the burial sites described in the Erfurt chronicles. According to him, this find provides a rare opportunity to study the demographic and social consequences of the "Black Death," which had an enormous impact on the development of European society.