BBC: Malaria in the late Empire

[Tarbicus]

A very interesting article about how the analysis of childrens' bodies has revealed that the deadliest form of malaria may have contributed to the demise of the Empire in the west.

Malaria and the Fall of Rome, by Andrew Thompson.

[Robert Vermaat]

Yeah, I know of this one, I even think I taped it at the time.
Personally, I don't believe in 'one big explanation', the 'holy grail' about why the West failed. It was a combination of factors; a failure to create a stable dynasty (resulting in endless civil wars), climatic circumstances, economic failure, etc.

Could an ancient children's burial ground contain clues about how one of the world's greatest empires came to an end?

Yep, even the BBC mistakes the fall of the western Roman Empire with the grand lot. As if the Byzantine Empire rose from the ashes of the Roman Empire! Don't they teach these things in school anymore (or any better)?