Science

Boat burial reveals leprosy strain in fifth-century Germany

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Briefings

Researchers from Kiel and Lower Saxony Institute for Historical Coastal Research identified a leprosy strain in a fifth-century German burial. This discovery links the Fallward burial ground to the violent migrations of Visigothic, Vandal, and Hun forces during the fifth century, highlighting human mobility during Europe's profound upheavals. The study connects specific historical events to biological evidence found in the burial site.

Key points

• Researchers from the Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB) at Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel and the Lower Saxony Institute for Historical Coastal Research (NIhK) identified a specific leprosy strain in the Fallward burial ground.
• The Fallward burial ground in what is now the district of Cuxhaven serves as the primary site where this mobility and disease were identified.

Context

The fifth century was an era of profound, often violent upheavals in Europe, marked by the expansion of the Franks and the movement of Visigothic and Vandal forces. This period saw significant human mobility, which the study aims to connect with biological evidence from the Fallward burial ground in Cuxhaven.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to the Fallward burial ground in the district of Cuxhaven. The study relies on researchers' interpretation of historical context and biological data without direct contemporary documentation or additional archaeological layers.

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