Images of rolling highlands, ancient castles, and colorful kilts may come to mind when you think of Scotland. Yet, buried deep in its history lies a darker chapter—the final deadly encounter with the plague during the mid-17th century. Thanks to extensive research by an interdisciplinary team, which included Jenna Dittmar, PhD, assistant professor for anatomical science at The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM-Louisiana), we now have a clearer understanding of how this pandemic shaped the lives of Scottish people.
The research, recently published in , represents a significant milestone. The interdisciplinary study, titled "The final plague outbreak in Scotland 1644-1649: Historical, archaeological, and genetic evidence," is the first to confirm the presence of the bacterial agent Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) in Scotland using ancient DNA (aDNA) techniques. This discovery sheds new light on how the plague impacted the Scottish population and the factors that led to the spread of the epidemic during one of the most tumultuous periods in its history.
From America's Heartland to Scotland's Lowlands: The Path to Researching Scotland's Plague
Dittmar's path to this research is as fascinating as the study itself. Growing up on a farm in rural Wisconsin, she developed an early interest in history and the stories of everyday people who are often overlooked in historical accounts. This passion led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Science in human osteology and palaeopathology at the University of Bradford, and a PhD in biological anthropology at the University of Cambridge.
“Archaeology, specifically osteoarcheology (the scientific study of human and animal remains from archaeological sites), enables us to understand the lives of people who were not typically included in historical accounts — women, children, the poor, and the unfree," Dittmar explains. "Including diverse narratives about people from all walks of life allows us to better understand the past so we can more thoughtfully craft our future."
Her work on the Wellcome Trust-funded project "After the Plague: Health and History in Medieval Cambridge" laid the foundation for her interest and expertise in studying ancient diseases. She subsequently moved to the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, where she worked with Professor Marc Oxenham on a project funded by the British Academy that explores how communities adapted to various challenges, including infectious diseases, over millennia. Through this work, she was able to continue to study the plague and to go looking for the first genetic evidence of this disease in Scotland.
Unlocking Secrets Through Ancient DNA
This study's heart is ancient DNA (aDNA), which Dittmar describes as genetic material extracted from organisms that lived hundreds or even thousands of years ago. By analyzing aDNA from human remains found in a mass burial site in Aberdeen, Scotland, the team confirmed the presence of Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for the plague. This discovery marks the first molecular evidence of the plague in Scotland.
"Knowing the disease-causing agent allows us to better contextualize human actions and responses to outbreaks of infectious diseases before the modern understanding of germ theory," shares Dittmar.
The findings reveal that Scotland's geography, transportation networks, and the broader circumstances of civil war, famine, and population displacement influenced the plague's spread and impact. While urban centers like Aberdeen experienced relatively low death tolls, the pandemic's reach and severity varied widely across the country.
Plague Victims Were Often Treated With Compassion
One of the study's most moving findings is the compassionate treatment of plague victims. Many individuals were buried according to contemporary norms in singular graves in churchyards, reflecting a commitment to care for the dead even in the direst circumstances. "Mass burial appears to have been a practical solution for overwhelmed communities, but many of those who died of the plague were buried according to contemporary burial norms," Dittmar explained. Though the individuals analyzed in this study were buried outside the city wall in a mass burial, the documentary records indicate that many others were buried according to contemporary religious norms. The study underscores the resilience and humanity of communities facing extraordinary challenges.
Lessons for Today
Dittmar's research deepens our understanding of the past and offers insights into the present. The parallels between historical and modern pandemics, particularly the measures to control disease spread, are telling. Just as 17th-century Scots implemented quarantines and travel restrictions to combat the plague, societies worldwide adopted similar strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The movement of people was a major contributing factor to the spread of the plague, and communities responded by restricting movement and quarantining the infected," Dittmar explains. "We experienced very similar protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic."
The research also highlights the plague's enduring presence. While it may seem like ancient history, outbreaks still occur in parts of the world today, including Africa, Asia, and South America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a small number of cases are reported annually in the United States.
Connecting the Human Experience
Reflecting on her work, Dittmar emphasizes connecting with the broader human experience. "The ability to rebuild, recover, and adapt in the face of devastation has defined human history," she says. "When we reflect on the idea that we, as humans, are part of a long history of perseverance, we realize that our experiences are not isolated but part of a broader narrative spanning centuries."
As she looks to the future, Dittmar remains committed to exploring past pandemics' biological and social aspects. Her contributions to the study of Scotland's final encounter with the plague demonstrate the power of interdisciplinary research. Through her team's work, we gain a deeper understanding of the past, which provides valuable lessons for the future and a renewed appreciation for the enduring strength of the human spirit.