Craig Cessford

A Refined Phylochronology of the Second Plague Pandemic in Western Eurasia

This paper uses genomic and historical data to refine the timeline and origin of the Second Plague Pandemic in Western Eurasia.

2500 Years of Human Betaherpesvirus 6A and 6B Evolution Revealed by Ancient DNA

This study analyzes ancient DNA to reveal the 2500-year evolutionary history of human betaherpesviruses 6A and 6B, showing established diversity by the 14th century and ancient integration into the human genome.

Bone adhered soil as a source of target and environmental DNA and proteins

This study analyzes soil adhered to human remains to recover environmental DNA and proteins, revealing microbial, animal, plant, and human genetic information from Neolithic to Medieval sites in England.

Local population structure in Cambridgeshire during the Roman occupation

The paper analyzes genome-wide data from 52 ancient individuals in Cambridgeshire to show low genetic ancestry differentiation and limited genetic relatedness during the Roman occupation, with modern genetic patterns emerging after the Roman period.

Medieval social landscape through the genetic history of Cambridgeshire before and after the Black Death

This study analyzes ancient genomes from Cambridgeshire to assess the Black Death's impact on local genetic diversity and social structure, finding no major genetic changes but disparities in stature linked to social status.

Ancient herpes simplex 1 genomes reveal recent viral structure in Eurasia

The paper presents ancient HSV-1 genomes from Europe, estimates mutation rates, and suggests lineage replacement during the Bronze Age.