plague pit

A plague pit is a designated area where many bodies of people who died from a contagious disease, like the plague, were buried quickly during outbreaks. These mass graves helped manage large numbers of deaths when funeral processes couldn't keep up, reducing the spread of disease. Often, plague pits were used during pandemics such as the Black Death in the 14th century. They are significant historical and archaeological sites, offering insights into past epidemics and public health responses.