In 1347, plague first entered the Mediterranean via trade ships transporting goods from the territories of the Golden Horde in the Black Sea

For years, scientific estimates of when the smallpox virus first emerged have been at odds with historical records.

In 1347, plague first entered the Mediterranean via trade ships transporting goods from the territories of the Golden Horde in the Black Sea

The disease disseminated across Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa claiming up to 60 percent of the population in a large outbreak.

DNA from victims and survivors of the Black Death pandemic has identified key genetic differences that determined who lived and who died.

The Black Death disseminated across Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa claiming up to 60 percent of the population.