background

/pdf/coprolite-analysis-a-biological-perspective-on-archaeology-afar758jkn.pdf

The rehydration of coprolites using trisodium phosphate solution: color reaction and smell.

Coprolite Analysis: A Biological Perspective on Archaeology

Systematic quantitative analysis of desiccated human paleofeces from two rockshelters in eastern Kentucky has yielded new evidence for early agricultural diet in eastern North America. Results indicate that native cultigens (including sumpweed, sunflower, and chenopod) were sometimes significant dietary constituents as early as ca. 1000 B.C., at least a millennium before agricultural economies became widespread across the region. However, variability in the quantity and frequency of cultigen remains suggests a dietary role that was somewhat limited compared to the practices of later Woodland period farmers. The predictions of foraging theory suggest that the utilization of cultigens would have been most advantageous in spring and summer (when many other foods were scarce) or in years of poor production by nut-bearing trees. The causal link between food storage and the development of food production in eastern Kentucky receives some empirical support and warrants further investigation.

Early Agricultural Diet in Eastern North America: Evidence from Two Kentucky Rockshelters

The impact of coprolite taphonomy on parasite remains and aDNA recovery has been recognized. In general, coprolites from sites protected by geologic features such as caves and rock shelters exhibit the best preservation. In contrast, coprolites from open sites can be badly affected by taphonomic processes as shown by analyses of parasite eggs. For eggs, the impact of mites and free-living nematodes has been quantified. Mites are associated with poor pinworm egg preservation. In other studies, percolation of water through sediments has a negative impact on egg recovery. We note that dietary remains can also decompose at open sites. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we present examples of screened but chemically untreated microscopic remains. “Panorama” SEM images provide an excellent visual overview of the taphonomy of dietary remains. For this study, our focus is on Southwestern coprolites as a demonstration of diversity within a single region. Examples from caves and rock shelters were examined first to describe the taphonomic challenges for protected sites. Then, attention was turned to coprolites from open sites. In general, the challenges noted for parasite preservation are seen for other microfossils. However, the preservation of lignin, sporopollenin, calcium oxalate, and siliceous microfossils is generally better than cellulose structures. These observations are relevant to the selection process of samples for aDNA analysis and immunological study. This is especially relevant for the gut microbiome since decomposer fungi and bacteria molecular signals could be recovered in metagenomic analysis.

background or methods

/pdf/imaging-coprolite-taphonomy-and-preservation-3w8swa84yt.pdf

Imaging coprolite taphonomy and preservation

This study describes the results of palynological, macrobotanical, and microfaunal investigations of 19 coprolites from the Paisley Five Mile Point Caves locality (35LK3400) situated in south-central Oregon, USA. This collection represents two discreet chronological phases (ca. 2200 and 9600–10800 radiocarbon years before present (RCYBP)) and suggests the use of a wide array of faunal and floral resources found adjacent to the cave complex. Here we compare macrofossils, animal hair and pollen recovered from these samples with regional ethnographic and historic data to infer probable exploitation of dietary resources by the inhabitants of the rockshelter. Our results suggest that the residents of the Paisley Caves during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene transition followed subsistence regimes heavily reliant on lagomorphs and dryland plant resources similar to those employed by later Native groups.

Dietary items in Early to Late Holocene human coprolites from Paisley Caves, Oregon, USA

* y CRISTINA yAGUEDDU * ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine plant remains in human coprolite in the archaeological site, Cerro Casa de Piedra 7, from microhistological studies. Coprolite samples were hydrated and filtered through six gauze meshes of approximately 500 μm pore size to recover the thick fraction. The residues obtained were transparented and mounted in gelatine-glycerine. Epidermis of leaves and fruits remains of Empetrum rubrum and Gaultheria mucronata were identified. The presence of both fruit species remains suggest that the consumption took place during summer time. The results obtained represent a complement for palinological analysis since they allow to specify the identification at a specific level of certain vegetables consumed.

/pdf/identificacion-de-microrrestos-vegetales-en-un-coprolito-2llxeqc2la.pdf

The rehydration of coprolites using trisodium phosphate solution: color reaction and smell.

Citations

Coprolite Analysis: A Biological Perspective on Archaeology

Early Agricultural Diet in Eastern North America: Evidence from Two Kentucky Rockshelters

Imaging coprolite taphonomy and preservation

Dietary items in Early to Late Holocene human coprolites from Paisley Caves, Oregon, USA

Identificación de microrrestos vegetales en un coprolito humano del sitio Cerro Casa de Piedra, Santa Cruz, Argentina