Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-2lccl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T07:13:24.730Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Parasitology as an Interpretive Tool in Archaeology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Karl J. Reinhard
Karl J. Reinhard*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, 126 BesseyHall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 86588-0368
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Parasitological studies of archaeological sites can be used to interpret past behavior and living conditions. During the 1980s problem-oriented research into prehistoric- and historical-period parasitism developed and resulted in the field of archaeoparasitology. Archaeoparasitology attempts to integrate parasite data into archaeological theory and interpretation. Within the last decade, four major archaeoparasitological laboratories emerged. They developed interpretive frameworks that apply parasitological data to a remarkable variety of prehistoric behaviors. Parasite remains can be used to reconstruct aspects of diet, health, and other behaviors such as transhumance and trade. Finally, analysis of the distribution of parasite remains can be used to interpret aspects of site-formation processes.

Resumen

Resumen

Los estudios parasitológicos de sitios arqueológicos son utilizados para interpretar comportamientos y condiciones de vida en el pasado. El desarrollo de investigaciones orientadas a la problemática del parasitismo prehistórico e histórico durante la década de 1980 tuvo como resultado la creatión de la arqueoparasitología. La arqueoparasitología intenta incorporar datos sobre parásitos a la teoría e interpretación arqueológicos. En la última década han surgido cuatro laboratorios parasitológicos principales. Estos nan desarrollado marcos interpretativos que aplican datos parasitológicos a una notable variedad de comportamientos prehistoricos. Los restos de los parásitos se pueden utilizar para reconstruir aspectos relacionados con la dieta, la salud y otros comportamientos como la transhumancia y el comercio. Por último, el análisis de la distributión de los restos de los parásitos puede ser utilizado para interpretar aspectos de los procesos de formatión de sitios arqueológicos

Type
Articles
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 57 , Issue 2 , April 1992 , pp. 231 - 245
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

References Cited

Allison, M. J., Pezzia, A., Hasigawa, I., and Gerszten, E. 1974 A Case of Hookworm Infection in a Pre-Columbian American. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 41 : 103–106.Google Scholar
Araujo, A. J. G. 1988 Dessecacao experimental de fezes contendo ovos de ancilostomideos. In Paleoparasitologia no Brasil, edited by Ferreira, L. F., Araujo, A, and Confalonieri, U., pp. 111–112. Programa de Educacao Continuada/ Escola Nacional de Saude Publica, Rio de Janeiro.Google Scholar
Araujo, A. J. G., Confalonieri, U. E. C., and Ferreira, L. F. 1980 Oxyurid Infestations in Small Animals from 9, 000 B. P. in Brazil. Paleopathology Newsletter 31 : 13–14. Detroit.Google Scholar
Araujo, A. J. G., Confalonieri, U. E. C., and Ferreira, L. F. 1982 Oxyurid (Nematoda) Eggs from Coprolites from Brazil. Journal of Parasitology 68 : 511–512.Google Scholar
Araujo, A. J. G., Ferreira, L. F., and Confalonieri, U. E. C. 1981 A Contribution to the Study of Helminth Findings in Archaeological Material in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Biologia 41 : 873–881.Google Scholar
Araujo, A. J. G., Ferreira, L. F., Confalonieri, U. E. C., and Chame, M. 1988 Hookworms and the Peopling of the New World. Cadernos de Saude Publica, Rio de Janeiro 2 : 226–233.Google Scholar
Araujo, A. J. G., Ferreira, L. F., Confalonieri, U. E. C., and Nunez, L. 1983 Eggs of Diphyllobothrium pacificum in Pre-Columbian Human Coprolites. Paleopathology Newsletter 41 : 11–113. Detroit.Google Scholar
Araujo, A. J. G., Ferreira, L. F., Confalonieri, U. E. C., Nunez, L., and Filho, B. M. Ribiero 1985 The Finding of Enterobius vermicularis Eggs in Pre-Columbian Human Coprolites. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 80 : 141–143. Rio de Janeiro.Google Scholar
Baud, C. A., and Kramar, C. 1991 Soft Tissue Calcifications in Paleopathology. In Human Paleopathology : Current Syntheses and Future Options, edited by Ortner, D. J. and Aufderheide, A. C., pp. 87–89. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C. Google Scholar
Callen, E. O., and Cameron, T. W. M. 1960 A Prehistoric Diet Revealed in Coprolites. New Scientist 8 : 35–40.Google Scholar
Chame Dos Santos, M. 1988 Estudio comparativo das fezes e coprdlitos nao humanos da regiao arqueoldgica de sao Raimundo Nonato Sudeste do Piaui. Unpublished Master's thesis, Department of Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.Google Scholar
Cockburn, A., and Cockburn, E. 1980 Mummies, Disease, and Ancient Cultures. Cambridge University Press, London.Google Scholar
Confalonieri, U. 1988 Paleoepidemiologia de T. trichiura na America. In Paleoparasitologia no Brasil, edited by Ferreira, L. F., Araujo, A, and Confalonieri, U., pp. 120–137. Programa de Educacao Continuada/Escola Nacional de Saude Publica, Rio de Janeiro.Google Scholar
Confalonieri, U. E. C, Araujo, A. J. G., and Ferreira, L. F. 1988 The Use of a Statistical Test for the Identification of Helminth Eggs in Coprolites. Paleopathology Newsletter 62 : 7–8. Detroit.Google Scholar
Confalonieri, U. E. C, Filho, B. M. Ribeiro, Ferreira, L. F., and Araujo, A. G. 1985 The Experimental Approach to Paleoparasitology : Desiccation of Trichuris trichiura Eggs. Paleopathology Newsletter 51 : 9–11. Detroit.Google Scholar
Darling, S. T. 1921 Observations on the Geographical and Ethnological Distribution of Hookworms. Parasitology 12 : 217— 233.Google Scholar
Desowitz, R. S. 1981 New Guinea Tapeworms and Jewish Grandmothers : Tales of Parasites and People. Norton, New York.Google Scholar
Dunn, F. L., and Watkins, R. 1970 Parasitological Examination of Prehistoric Human Coprolites from Lovelock Cave, Nevada. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 10 : 176–185. Berkeley.Google Scholar
Faulkner, C. T. 1991 Prehistoric Diet and Parasitic Infection in Tennessee : Evidence from the Analysis of Desiccated Human Paleofeces. American Antiquity 56 : 687–700.Google Scholar
Faulkner, C. T., Patton, S., and Johnson, S. S. 1989 Prehistoric Parasitism in Tennessee : Evidence from the Analysis of Desiccated Fecal Material Collected from Big Bone Cave, Van Buren County, Tennessee. Journal of Parasitology 75 : 461–463.Google Scholar
Ferreira, L. F., Araujo, A. J. G., and Confalonieri, U. E. C. 1980 The Finding of Eggs and Larvae of Parasitic Helminths in Archaeological Material from Unai, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 74 : 798–800. London.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ferreira, L. F., Araujo, A. J. G., and Confalonieri, U. E. C. 1983 The Finding of Helminth Eggs in a Brazilian Mummy. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 77 : 65–67. London.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ferreira, L. F., Araujo, A. J. G., and Confalonieri, U. E. C. 1988 Paleoparasitologia no Brasil. Programa de Educacao Continuada/Escola Nacional de Saude Publica, Rio de Janeiro.Google Scholar
Ferreira, L. F., Araujo, A. J. G., Confalonieri, U. E. C., and Nunez, L. 1984 The Finding of Diphyllobothhum in Human Coprolites (4, 000-1, 950 B. C.) from Northern Chile. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 79 : 175–180. Rio de Janeiro.Google Scholar
Ferreira, L. F., Araujo, A. J. G., Confalonieri, U. E. C., Chame, M., and Filho, B. Ribiero 1987 Enconto de ovos de ancilostomideos em coprolitos humanos da tados de 7, 230 ± 80 anos, no estado Piaui, Brasil. X Congresso da Sociedade Brasileira de Parasitologia Salvador, Bahia.Google Scholar
Fouant, M. M. 1981 Intestinal Parasitic Disease Among Pre-Columbian Indians. Unpublished Master's thesis, Department of Pathology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.Google Scholar
Fry, G. F. 1977 Analysis of Prehistoric Coprolites from Utah. Anthropological Papers No. 97. University of Utah, Salt Lake City.Google Scholar
Fry, G. F. 1980 Prehistoric Diet and Parasites in the Desert West of North America. In Early Native Americans, edited by Browman, D. L., pp. 325–339. Mouton, The Hague.Google Scholar
Fry, G. F., and Hall, H. J. 1969 Parasitological Examination of Human Coprolites from Utah. Proceedings of the Utah Academy of Science, Arts and Letters 36 : 102–105. Salt Lake City.Google Scholar
Gooch, P. S. 1983 Helminth Parasites. In Disease in Ancient Man, edited by Hart, G. D., pp. 205–211. Clarke Irwin, Toronto.Google Scholar
Hall, H. J. 1972 Diet and Disease at Clyde's Cavern, Utah. Unpublished Master's thesis, Department of Anthropology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.Google Scholar
Hall, H. J. 1977 A Paleoscatological Study of Diet and Disease at Dirty Shame Rockshelter, Southwest Oregon. Tebiwa 8 : 1–15.Google Scholar
Herrmann, B. 1986 Parasitologische Untersuchung mittelalterlicher Kloaken. In Mensch und Umwelt im Mittelalter, edited by Herrmann, B., pp. 161–169. Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt, Stuttgart.Google Scholar
Herrmann, B. 1987 Parasitologisch-Epidemiologische Auswertungen mittelalterlicher Kloaken. Zeitschrift fur Archaologie des Mittelalters 13 : 131–161. Koln.Google Scholar
Herrmann, B., and Schultz, U. 1987 Parasitologische Untersuchungen eines Spatmittelalterlich-friihneuzeitlichen Koakeninhaltes aus der Fronerei auf dem Schrangen in Liibeck. Liibecker Schriften zur Archaologie und Kulturgeschichte 12 : 167–172. Liibeck.Google Scholar
Hevly, R. H. 1986 Paleoecological Changes Relevant to Prehistoric Helminthiasis. Paper presented at the 13th Annual Meeting of the Paleopathology Association, Albuquerque.Google Scholar
Hevly, R. H., Kelly, R. E., Anderson, G. A., and Olsen, S. J. 1979 Comparative Effects of Climate Change, Cultural Impact, and Volcanism in the Paleoecology of Flagstaff, Arizona, A. D. 900-1300. In Volcanic Activity and Human History, edited by Sheets, P. and Grayson, D., pp. 487–523. Academic Press, New York.Google Scholar
Hillson, S. W. 1980 Chronic Anemias in the Nile Valley. MASCA Journal 1 : 172.Google Scholar
Home, P. D. 1985 A Review of the Evidence of Human Endoparasitism in the Pre-Columbian New World Through the Study of Coprolites. Journal of Archaeological Science 12 : 299–310.Google Scholar
Jones, A. K. G. 1985 Trichurid Ova in Archaeological Deposits : Their Value as Indicators of Ancient Feces. In Paleobiological Investigations : Research Design, Methods and Data Analysis, edited by R, N. J.. Fieller, Gilbertson, D. D., and A., N. G. Ralph, pp. 105–114. BAR International Series 266. British Archaeological Reports, Oxford.Google Scholar
Jones, A. K. G. 1986 Parasitological Examination of Lindow Man. In Lindow Man : The Body in the Bog, edited by Stead, I. M., Bourke, J. B., Williams, D., and Brothwell, D., pp. 136–139. British Museum Publications, London.Google Scholar
Jones, A. K. G., and Hall, A. R. 1983 A Coprolite from 6-8 Pavement. In Environment and Living Conditions at Two Anglo-Scandinavian Sites, edited by Hall, A. R., Kenward, H. K., Williams, D., and A., J. R. Greig, pp. 225–229. Council for British Archaeology, York.Google Scholar
Jones, A. K. G., Hutchinson, A. R., and Nicholson, C. 1988 The Worms of Roman Horses and Other Finds of Intestinal Parasite Eggs from Unpromising Deposits. Antiquity 62 : 225–229.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Manter, H. W. 1967 Some Aspects of the Geographical Distribution of Parasites. Journal of Parasitology 53 : 1–9.Google Scholar
Moore, J. G., Fry, G. F., and Englert, E. 1969 Thorny-Headed Worm Infection in North American Prehistoric Man. Science 163 : 1324–1325.Google Scholar
Moore, J. G., Grundman, A. W., Hall, H. J., and Fry, G. F. 1974 Human Fluke Infection in Glen Canyon at AD 1250. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 41 : 115–118.Google Scholar
Moore, P. D. 1981 Life Seen from a Medieval Latrine. Nature 294 : 614.Google Scholar
Ortner, D. J., and Putschar, W. G. J. 1983 Identification of Pathological Conditions in Human Skeletal Remains. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C. Google Scholar
Patrucco, R., Tello, R., and Bonavia, D. 1983 Parasitological Finds of Coprolites of Pre-Hispanic Peruvian Populations. Current Anthropology 24 : 393–394.Google Scholar
Pike, A. W. 1967 The Recovery of Parasite Eggs from Ancient Cesspit and Latrine Deposits : An Approach to the Study of Early Parasite Infections. In Disease in Antiquity, edited by Brothwell, D. and Sandison, A. T., pp. 184–188. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J. 1985a Recovery of Helminths from Prehistoric Feces : The Cultural Ecology of Ancient Parasitism, Unpublished Master's thesis, Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J. 1985b Parasitism at Antelope House, a Puebloan Village in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. In Health and Disease in the Prehistoric Southwest, edited by Merbs, C. F. and Miller, R. J., pp. 220–223. Anthropological Research Papers No. 34. Arizona State University, Tempe.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J. 1985c Strongyloides stercoralis in the Prehistoric Southwest. In Health and Disease in the Prehistoric Southwest, edited by Merbs, C. F. and Miller, R. J., pp. 234–242. Anthropological Research Papers No. 34. Arizona State University, Tempe.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J. 1988a Cultural Ecology of Prehistoric Parasitism on the Colorado Plateau as Evidenced by Coprology. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 77 : 355–366.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J. 1988b Diet, Parasitism, and Anemia in the Prehistoric Southwest. Unpublished Ph. D. dissertation, Department of Anthropology, Texas A&M University, College Station.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J. 1990a Archaeoparasitology in North America. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 82 : 145–163.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J. 1990b Paleoparasitology of Alligators as Evidenced by Helminth Eggs from Coprolites Recovered from a Florida Bog. Paper presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Lawrence, Kansas.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J., and Barnum, S. V. 1991 Ancient Parasitology of Coastal Peru. Paper presented at the 90th Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association, Chicago.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J., and Clary, K. H. 1986 Parasite Analysis of Prehistoric Coprolites from Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. In A Biocultural Approach to Human Burials from Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, edited by Akins, N. J., pp. 214–222. Reports of the Chaco Center No. 9. National Park Service, Santa Fe.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J., Ambler, J. R., and McGuffie, M. 1985 Diet and Parasitism at Dust Devil Cave. American Antiquity 50 : 819–824.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J., Hevly, R. H., and Anderson, G. A. 1987 Helminth Remains from Prehistoric Indian Coprolites on the Colorado Plateau. Journal of Parasitology 73 : 630–639.Google Scholar
Reinhard, K. J., Mrozowski, S. A., and Orloski, K. A. 1986 Privies, Pollen, Parasites and Seeds, a Biological Nexus in Historic Archaeology. MASCA Journal 4 : 31–36.Google Scholar
Schmidt, G. D., and Roberts, L. S. 1981 Foundations of Parasitology. Mosby, New York.Google Scholar
Soper, F. L. 1927 The Report of Nearly Pure Ancylostoma duodenale in Native South American Indians and a Discussion of Its Ethnological Significance. American Journal of Hygiene 7 : 174–184.Google Scholar
Steinbock, P. T. 1976 Paleopahl: is and Interpretation : Bone Diseases in Ancient Human Populations. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois.Google Scholar
Taylor, E. L. 1955 Parasitic Helminths in Mediaeval Remains. Veterinary Record 67 : 216–218.Google Scholar
Weir, G. H., and Bonavia, D. 1985 Coprolitos y dieta del Preceramico Tardio de la costa Peruana. Bulletin of the French Institute of Andean Studies 14 : 85–140.Google Scholar
Weiss, D. L., and Moller-Christensen, V. 1971 Leprosy, Echinococcosis and Amulets : A Study of a Medieval Danish Inhumation. Medical History 15 : 260–267.Google Scholar
Williams, J. A. 1985 Evidence of Hydatid Cyst Disease in a Plains Woodland Burial. Plains Anthropologist 30 : 25–28.Google Scholar
Zimmerman, M. R. 1980 Aleutian and Alaskan Mummies. In Mummies, Disease, and Ancient Cultures, edited by Cockburn, A. and Cockburn, E., pp. 118–134. Cambridge University Press, London.Google Scholar
Zimmerman, M. R., and Aufderheide, A. 1984 The Frozen Family of Utqiugvik : The Autopsy Findings. Arctic Anthropology 21 : 53–64.Google Scholar
Zimmerman, M. R., and Smith, G. S. 1975 A Probable Case of Accidental Inhumation of 1, 600 Years Ago. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 51 : 828–837. New York.Google Scholar