Using parasite analysis to identify ancient chamber pots
An example of the fifth century CE from Gerace, Sicily, Italy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13096024 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sophie Rabinow (0000-0002-7457-8994, University of Cambridge), Tianyi Wang (0000-0002-0776-9387, University of Cambridge), Roger Wilson (0000-0002-6043-7306, University of British Columbia), P D Mitchell (0000-0002-1009-697X, University of Cambridge, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 42 |
| Pages | 103349-103349 |
| Publication date | 2022-02-10 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Archaeological Science Reports (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2352-409X • E-ISSN: 2352-4103 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103349 |
| OpenAlex | W4211011170 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 24 |
Chamber pots are perhaps one of the more challenging ceramic forms to identify with certainty in Roman pottery studies, despite the availability of detailed ceramic typologies. Here, we describe the analysis of mineralized concretions taken from a Sicilian ceramic vessel of the fifth-century CE, and propose paleoparasitology, the identification of intestinal parasites, as a helpful method for contributing to the detection of chamber pots. Microscope analysis of the mineralized concretions revealed the presence of eggs of the intestinal nematode Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), confirming that the vessel originally contained faeces. This is the first time that parasite eggs have been identified from concretions inside a Roman ceramic vessel. Systematic parasitological investigation of calcified deposits from ceramic vessels may therefore help to establish function. In addition, the identification of intestinal parasite eggs has the potential to advance our understanding of the sanitation, diet, and intestinal health of populations who used these chamber pots
Archaeology · Biology · Ceramic · Composite material · Geography · Helminths · Intestinal parasite · Nematode · Parasite hosting · Pottery · Trichuris trichiura · Zoology · Conservation Techniques and Studies · Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies · Materials Science · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Ecology
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UBC Excavations of the Roman Villa at Gerace, Sicily
UBC Excavations of the Roman Villa at Gerace, Sicily
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Latrinae
Diet, hygiene and health in Roman period northern Gaul
Infectious disease in the ancient Aegean
Parasitology in an archaeological context
The Baths on the Estate of the Philippiani at Gerace, Sicily
Intestinal Parasitic Infection in the Eastern Roman Empire During the Imperial Period and Late Antiquity
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1,5 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2026 (3) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |