The plague’s impact paleodemographic and genetic measures in 15th to 16th century Gdańsk

Yersinia pestis caused plagues and haunted Gdańsk several times during the 15th 16th centuries. This study focuses on following demographic effects: 1/ distributions of deceased by age in a plagued city, 2/ parameters life tables, 3/ estimation natural increase. To assess genetic effects plague, measures opportunity for selection were considered. Skeletal remains 283 people from – century ossuary 3009 Dominican Monastery provided research material. DNA this skeletal material has already been found (Morozowa et al. 2017, 2020). Distributions sample compared with those before plague mass burial victims 14th Lübeck. Neither catastrophic mortality was studied, nor selective nature regard to sex had demonstrated. Using Weiss method, rate increase r=–0.005 reconstructed. With wide dating range fact that it contains results both epidemic “normal” mortality, value at level seems justified. There deterioration values tables parameters, especially expectancy. Newborn expectancy dropped 19.5–22.6 years 20-year-old 17.7 years. The also deteriorated primarily due child mortality: biological state index Ibs low (within 0.3–0.4 range) Im Crow’s about 1.0. Natural acted adults as evidenced gross potential reproduction Rpot below 0.7. Demographically early Middle Ages rather than Rennaisance.