Eske Willerslev

Eske Willerslev is a leading evolutionary geneticist whose research focuses on ancient DNA and human history. He is currently in the news due to his involvement in a groundbreaking study that has identified the oldest known evidence of the plague. This research, published recently, pushes back the timeline of plague outbreaks by approximately 200 years, dating them to about 5,500 years ago. The findings were derived from ancient teeth discovered in Siberia. Willerslev's expertise in ancient genomics allows scientists to reconstruct past epidemics and understand their impact on human populations. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of infectious diseases and their evolution, highlighting the deep-seated history of pathogens and their long-term relationship with humanity.