Where did the Black Death, which was one of the deadliest plagues in human history, begin?
For centuries, historians have struggled with this subject.
A group of academics from several fields has now attempted to unravel this contentious question.
The bubonic epidemic that swept Western Asia, Northern Africa
the Middle East, and Europe in 1346-53 is known as the Black Death.
The Black Death, which killed millions, was caused by the bacteria Yersinia
pestis and spread by fleas carried by rodent hosts, according to most academics.
The Y. pestis microorganis spread to human populations, which then passed it on to others
either through a human flea vector or directly through the respiratory system.