Social Status Influenced Plague Mortality Among Young Laborers in Early Modern Europe
Research from a 17th-century monastery-turned-hospital in Basel, Switzerland, reveals that young laborers faced the highest mortality rates during the early modern plague, highlighting the role of social status.
Summary
A recent study conducted by a multidisciplinary archaeological team has provided new insights into the impact of social status on plague mortality during the Early Modern period in Europe.
The research focused on plague burials from a 17th-century monastery that was converted into a hospital in Basel, Switzerland. It suggests that young laborers were disproportionately affected by the epidemic.
This examination sheds light on the complex dynamics of health and social hierarchy during a time when the plague ravaged communities, emphasizing that not all individuals were equally vulnerable.
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