Abandoned Forum

[Astarte]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4755328.stm

Europe's chill linked to disease
By Kate Ravilious

Bubonic plague may have wiped out over a third of Europe's population

Europe's "Little Ice Age" may have been triggered by the 14th Century Black Death plague, according to a new study.

Pollen and leaf data support the idea that millions of trees sprang up on abandoned farmland, soaking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

This would have had the effect of cooling the climate, a team from Utrecht University, Netherlands, says.

The Little Ice Age was a period of some 300 years when Europe experienced a dip in average temperatures.




Holy and guacamole!
I thought this was incredibly interesting. Click on to read more....

[Pixyboo]

more, more

[hamster]

Tis possible, tis possible. Those of you interested in the fascinating, somewhat disgusting, often surprising connection of disease to world history should grab a copy of Hans Zinnser's "darkly delightful" book, "Rats, Lice and Disease."

It's very readable but not while munching a sandwich.