Genomic study of plague victims in France in the 17th and 18th centuries

In this study, we conducted paleogenomic analysis on historical human skeletons excavated from archaeological contexts in France, specifically associated with the plague epidemics of the 17th and 18th centuries. These archaeological sites are linked to significant historical events, including the Thirty Years War in the 17th century and the devastating Marseille plague epidemic of 1720-1722. Our research focused on the sequencing of genomes extracted from individuals who succumbed to these epidemics, aiming to uncover insights into their genetic ancestry and explore potential genetic factors contributing to their susceptibility to the disease. Remarkably well-preserved petrous bones were the source of DNA for genome sequencing, enabling the characterization of nearly complete genetic profiles. In total, we successfully sequenced 79 human genomes, each with a depth-of-coverage comprised between 0.1-to-5.5-fold. These genomic data provided valuable insights into the genetic makeup of individuals who were most commonly affected during these historical plague outbreaks. Our findings shed light on the genetic aspects of historical plague victims, furthering our understanding of the impact of genetics on susceptibility to these devastating epidemics.