Mystery of Black Death’s origins solved, say researchers

International team link spike in deaths at cemeteries in Kyrgyzstan in 1300s to start of plague pandemic

Researchers believe they have solved the nearly 700-year-old mystery of the origins of the Black Death, the deadliest pandemic in recorded history, which swept through Europe, Asia and north Africa in the mid-14th century.

At least tens of millions of people died when bubonic plague tore across the continents, probably by spreading along trade routes. Despite intense efforts to uncover the source of the outbreak, the lack of firm evidence has left the question open.