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It was one of the darkest times in the Middle Ages. The Black Death struck fear into those
who knew it and those who were to come to know it.
A devastating pandemic that wiped out millions of people as it quickly spread through Europe,
cutting the population by up to 60 per cent. When it reached England in 1348 it was known
about, and so extra land was bought in preparation for mass burials.
This planning, although incredibly morbid, has led to many bones being preserved, until
their discovery.
For the last year, there have been many tests and now it has been confirmed what has been
suspected. They were victims of the bubonic plague.
Scientists found traces of the DNA of the Yersinia pestis bacterium responsible for
the Black Death plague.
The skeletons, unearthed in London's Charterhouse Square in Farringdon during Crossrail work
have now come up with clues of past lives thanks to various techniques including carbon dating.
There was a high rate of back damage and strain indicating heavy manual labour. There was
malnutrition and many of the skeletons had rickets. While the bones thought to be from
the 1400s had more upper body injuries, suggesting they had been involved in fighting. Analysis
of the victims also led scientists to say that residents of London back then were as
cosmopolitan as they are today. More clues may surface over time, as there is now evidence
of a second emergency burial ground in the capital.