Archaeologists believe so. They claim to have discovered the largest mass grave in Europe. It would have around 1,000 skeletons and is in Nuremberg, Germany. A plague epidemic is “the most likely explanation” for such a finding.
This was commented by the archaeologist of the Nuremberg heritage conservation department, Melanie Langbein.
recurring plague
In Europe, the bubonic plague is better known as the “Black Death” epidemic of the 13th century. It is also known as the “Justinian Plague” of the 6th century, but it has plagued Europe regularly over the centuries. Currently, there are an average of seven human cases of bubonic plague per year worldwide.
The remains appeared during an archaeological study prior to the construction of a nursing home. Experts estimate that more than 1,500 bodies could have been buried there. «Those people were not buried in a normal cemetery. But in Nuremberg we have designated plague cemeteries. This means a large number of dead that needed to be buried in a short period of time,” said Langbein.
Nuremberg suffered plague outbreaks approximately every 10 years from the 14th century onwards. This makes it difficult to date the remains, Langbein stressed.
Archaeologists used radiocarbon dating to date the mass grave to the 15th to 17th centuries. Although other evidence found at the site suggests the 1630s. Among the remains, the excavators also found a letter dated 1634. It describes an outbreak of plague in the city in 1632 and 1633.
Massive epidemic
Langbein specified that the epidemic of 1632-1633 was worse than previous ones due to the impact of the Thirty Years’ War. It was a series of conflicts fought by several European nations between 1618 and 1648.
The discovery will allow researchers to understand not only the plague itself, but also the society of the time. The epidemic affected people of all ages and social classes. So the remains of Europe’s largest mass grave will offer scientists a snapshot of society as a whole.
