Bubonic Plague Grave Found: Archaeologists Uncover Grave Where 1,500 Victims Could Have Been Interred; Mass Burial Site Could Be Largest One Seen in Europe

Archaeologists conducting excavations in the city of Nuremberg ahead of a new retirement home's construction were able to uncover a massive burial of bubonic plague victims, which could be the largest ever found in Europe.

Largest Bubonic Plague Burial Found

While excavations are still ongoing, the remains of over 500 individuals have already been uncovered. The team thinks that up to 1,500 individuals could be interred within it.

Exact dating is yet to be conducted. However, based on tentative estimates, the eight plague pits may have been created during the 17th century's first half. Some bones had a green tint due to how the site was used for waste disposal of a copper mill nearby for some time.

According to Melanie Langbein and Florian Melzer, an archaeologist and the chief anthropologist, respectively, at the Nuremberg Department of Heritage Conservation, they will be securing and archiving all the remains discovered in the future areas of construction. They currently think that when the work is finished in spring, this site will be the largest plague victim emergency cemetery in Europe.

Based on radiocarbon dating of the remains from one grave, it dates back to the late 15th century to early 17th century. Pottery pieces and coins found in the area also point to the early 20th century. Researchers also found a 1634 note that describes an outbreak of the plague in 1632 and 1633 in Nuremberg. This reportedly led to the deaths of 15,000 individuals. The note adds that around 2,000 of those were buried at the current excavation site.

However, the discovery's implications exceed the manner of the individuals' death. All remains require extraction and careful relocation for further study.

Bubonic Plague

The bubonic plague has been linked to several of the most devastating pandemics in history. It is chiefly linked to the 14th century Black Death and the 6th century Justinian plague.

However, through the ages, the extremely contagious and flea-borne condition frequently reemerged in smaller outbreaks. After Europe's Black Death, local epidemics resurfaced for roughly four centuries across cities, including Nuremberg.

In fact, Nuremberg has a famously dedicated cemetery for plague victims, St. Rochus. However, what archaeologists from In Terra Veritas discovered, as they were conducting a routine diligence check before construction, was not a cemetery. The bones appeared to speak of something more devastating and desperate.

Langbein explains that such people were interred within a regular cemetery, though Nuremberg had designated a plague cemetery. This implies that several dead people were buried within a short period of time without regard to the burial practices of Christians.

As the plague does not leave any clear traces on victims' bones, further work is necessary for the diagnosis to be confirmed. Further DNA analysis is expected to confirm Yersinia pestis bacterium traces. However, several lines show that the plague is the most likely explanation for the victims' cases.

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