Over the long history of the Earth, viral diseases and infectious outbreaks have torn through civilizations. Societies grow and develop around these epidemics and sometimes even change life as we know it. From thousands of centuries ago to only a few years back, these are some of the worst illnesses that have been affecting humans for generations.
Prehistoric Epidemic
An entire village in prehistoric China was wiped out some 5,000 years ago. Many died during this massive spread, and their bodies were placed together in a house that was then burned to the ground. Based on the skeletons later discovered, archaeologists could deem that every age group was affected by the disease. According to researchers, the event was so terrible that the location wasn't ever repopulated.