The historical evidence of the plagues is extensive and varied, encompassing written records, archaeological findings, and biological data. Ancient texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the writings of Thucydides, document outbreaks of devastating plagues in Mesopotamia and Athens, respectively. Archaeological excavations have uncovered mass graves and burial pits containing skeletons bearing signs of plague, providing physical evidence of the disease's impact. Additionally, the identification of plague bacteria DNA in the remains of plague victims has confirmed the etiology of these ancient outbreaks. These multiple lines of evidence converge to paint a vivid picture of the devastating toll that the plagues have taken on human populations throughout history.
