Black Death: Gerbils 'responsible' species not rats
Newly published research suggests that gerbils not rats, may have been the cause of outbreaks of Black Death across Europe in the 14th Century.
Professor Nils Christian Stenseth told the programme that population fluctuations in gerbils in Asia caused fleas to transfer to other mammalian species, including humans, spreading the disease.
Researchers were able to deduce gerbil population numbers from the study of tree rings which give information about historic weather patterns.
The disease was most likely spread from Asia to Europe along trade routes including the silk road.
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
Radio 4 clips selection
Listen to a selection of clips from recent and upcoming programmes.
More clips from 24/02/2015
-
EU: 'Putin is wrong' about 'unlikely war' in Ukraine
Duration: 06:52
-
Green Party's Natalie Bennett commits to citizens' income
Duration: 05:32
More clips from Today
-
Pentagon official: We are working to prevent wider war
Duration: 09:31
-
WHO head: 'Peace is the best medicine'
Duration: 08:34
-
Today listeners ask 'Where's my bus?'
Duration: 10:08
-
Kevin Keegan on the England manager's job
Duration: 11:18