Archaeological evidence of intestinal parasites from coastal shell middens

Abstract

Shell midden sediment from Canada's Pacific coast has yielded consistent and quantifiable evidence of human intestinal parasitism. Auger samples from pre-contact settlements have produced evidence of as many as four parasite genera, including fish tapeworm ( Diphyllobothrium spp.) and human roundworm ( Ascaris lumbricoides). The methods of parasite extraction were non-complex, replicable and non-invasive. This project demonstrates the practicality of soil testing throughout a range of archaeological features and encourages the standard curation of culturally deposited soils for the purpose of archaeoparasite recovery.