Impact of the Black Death on Genetics

Research into the ancient DNA of individuals from Cambridgeshire reveals insights into the Black Death's impact, which killed a significant portion of the population between 1347 and the 18th century. Despite assumptions that such a devastating event might alter the genetic landscape of Europe, findings suggest that no significant genetic differences are evident between individuals who lived before and after the pandemic. The implication is that while the social consequences of the plague were immense, its direct genetic influence on subsequent generations in the region was minimal. The study highlights a lack of clear evidence supporting the theory that survivors passed on robust genes to future populations.