VCOM View Magazine Vol. 14 | No. 1

Scotland’s Last Deadly Encounter with the Plague: Jenna Dittmar’s Genetic Breakthrough B y the mid-17th century, Scotland faced its final major plague outbreak, a

study identified Y. pestis in several individuals—evidence published in PLOS One. This work maps the plague’s spread across central Scottish lowlands, linking it to population centers, transport routes, and civil-war-induced displacement. One striking finding: Even amid mass deaths, communities often conducted normative burials in churchyards—an expression of compassion despite the fear and chaos of epidemic conditions. Dittmar emphasizes that mass grave sites coexisted with individual care, reflecting a resilient and humane response. Dittmar also draws parallels with modern pandemics. She points out that 17th century Scottish strategies—quarantines, travel

restrictions, limiting movement— mirror tactics used during COVID19. Understanding ancient responses offers valuable lessons for today’s public health. Looking forward, Dittmar aims to further explore ancient pandemics’ biological and social dimensions. Her commitment to inclusivity—highlighting the stories of common folk, women, children, and the poor—shines through her interdisciplinary approach. By weaving together osteology, archaeology, historical records, and genetic evidence, Dittmar’s work not only reinterprets Scotland’s past but also contributes vital context for our collective future.

dark chapter now illuminated by Jenna Dittmar, PhD, assistant professor of anatomical sciences at VCOM-Louisiana. Through her expertise in ancient DNA (aDNA), historical osteology, and paleopathology, Dittmar’s work confirms that Yersinia pestis, the bacterium behind plague, struck Scottish communities—marking the first molecular evidence of plague in the country. In collaboration with an interdisciplinary team led by Professor Marc Oxenham at Aberdeen, Dittmar analyzed human remains from a plague pit near Aberdeen’s city wall. Their

Read more about Dittmar’s research on our website.

www.vcom.edu/news/2025/01/27/ scotlands-last-deadly-encounter plague-insights-ancient-pandemic and-its-modern-lessons

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