Archaeological Parasites as Indicators of Environmental Change in Urbanizing Landscapes

Implications for Health and Social Status

Bibliographic Data

ID2095946
AuthorsH B Trigg (0000-0003-0109-1912, University of Massachusetts Boston, corresponding author), Susan A Jacobucci, Susan Jacobucci (University of Massachusetts Boston), Mrozowski (0000-0002-0197-2392, University of Massachusetts Boston), Stephen A Mrozowski, Jill M Steinberg (0000-0002-4222-1544, University of Massachusetts Boston), John M Steinberg
Year2017
Volume82
Issue3
Pages517-535
Publication date2017-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Antiquity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-7316 • E-ISSN: 2325-5064
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/aaq.2017.6
OpenAlexW2622549718
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited48

Using archaeological data of two human intestinal parasites from seventeenth- to early twentieth-century contexts, we explore the intersection of biological and cultural variables that shaped the ecology of cities in northeastern North America during the modern period. These parasites are useful because they require a developmental period in the soil, thus providing a link between human activities and changing environments. Prior to the last decades of the eighteenth century, Trichuris eggs dominate the archaeoparasitological assemblage. Around 1800, there is a shift to increasing proportions of Ascaris eggs, which appears to be largely complete by 1850-a period of increasing urbanization in the northeast United States. Both environmental and behavioral factors play a role in this shift and include the relationship between parasite biology and changing microenvironments, attempts to deal with waste, and use of urban spaces. During this period, poorer households would likely have been at greater risk of parasites because of the ways they used yard spaces, their delayed access to sanitary technology, and the changing nature of urban vegetation in densely occupied neighborhoods

Archaeology · Assemblage (archaeology) · Biology · Geography · Period (music) · Urban ecology · Urbanization · Dermatological diseases and infestations · Ecology · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Paleopathology and ancient diseases