Infectious diseases and the First Epidemiological Transition in Central and Western Eurasian prehistory

The hypothesis of a First Epidemiological Transition postulates that, with the advent of the Neolithic, the proximity to domesticated animals would have increased exposure to zoonotic pathogens, whereas the population growth and concentration that often follows the introduction of agriculture would have led to a high rate of transmission of infectious diseases. In this paper, we will synthesize the history of research on this issue. We will then use recently published data, coming mostly from aDNA studies in Central and Western Eurasia, to test the hypothesis. We find out that the hypothesis is mostly supported by the new evidence.