Molars Extracted from Skeleton Reveal Secrets about the Black Death

Molars that were extracted from skeletons found near the new London railway may reveal secrets behind the Black Death.

The bones were found by construction workers, which had been untouched in their mass grave located under the London's Charterhouse Square. According to an osteologist with the Museum of London, Don Walker, a test that extracted information from the skeleton's teeth revealed medical findings regarding the plague.

From there, Walker outlined a biography for a man who would have died during the time of the Black Death, around 600 years ago. Researchers were also able to determine that this particular skeleton was breastfed as a baby and had bad tooth decay. They also discovered that he group up to be a laborer. The Washington Post notes that the man's life was nasty, brutish and short.

"It's fantastic we can look in such detail at an individual who died 600 years ago," Walker said, via the news organization. "It's incredible, really."

A total of 25 skeletons were uncovered last year by workers in the area. Experts suspect that much of the bone came from a cemetery for plaque victims. In fact, scientists found that teeth from each of the 12 skeletons showed presence of the plaque bacterium in several of the teeth, meaning that these individuals were exposed to the Black Death.

Archaeologists were also surprised to see that the skeletons lay in layers and appeared to come from three different periods: the original Black Death epidemic in 1348-1350, and later outbreaks in 1361 and the early 15th century. 

"It suggests that the burial ground was used again and again for the burial of plague victims," said Jay Carver, Crossrail's lead archaeologist.

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