Body Louse Remains Found in Textiles Excavated at Masada, Israel

Mumcuoglu, Kosta Y.; Zias, Joseph; Tarshis, M. G.; Lavi, Michal; Stiebel, Guy D.

doi:10.1603/0022-2585-40.4.585

Cited by 37 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Body lice have also been noted on textiles from Masada dating to the time of Jewish revolt against the Romans (66-73 AD) (Mumcuoglu et al 2003).…”

Section: E C T O P a R A S I T E S I N T H E R O M A N P E R I O Dmentioning

confidence: 97%

Human parasites in the Roman World: health consequences of conquering an empire

Mitchell

2016

Parasitology

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Roman era is presented in order to demonstrate the species present at that time, and highlight the health consequences for people living under Roman rule. Despite their large multi-seat public latrines with washing facilities, sewer systems, sanitation legislation, fountains and piped drinking water from aqueducts, we see the widespread presence of whipworm (Trichuris trichiura), roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) and Entamoeba histolytica that causes dysentery. This would suggest that the public sanitation measures were insufficient to protect the population from parasites spread by fecal contamination. Ectoparasites such as fleas, head lice, body lice, pubic lice and bed bugs were also present, and delousing combs have been found. The evidence fails to demonstrate that the Roman culture of regular bathing in the public baths reduced the prevalence of these parasites. Fish tapeworm was noted to be widely present, and was more common than in Bronze and Iron Age Europe. It is possible that the Roman enthusiasm for fermented, uncooked fish sauce (garum) may have facilitated the spread of this helminth. Roman medical practitioners such as Galen were aware of intestinal worms, explaining their existence and planning treatment using the humoural theory of the period.

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“…Body lice have also been noted on textiles from Masada dating to the time of Jewish revolt against the Romans (66-73 AD) (Mumcuoglu et al 2003).…”

Section: E C T O P a R A S I T E S I N T H E R O M A N P E R I O Dmentioning

confidence: 97%

Human parasites in the Roman World: health consequences of conquering an empire

Mitchell

2016

Parasitology

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“…Following the conquest of Masada, the room was used by Roman soldiers as a dumping area. The context of the textiles associated with the louse and their nature clearly suggest an origin at the time of the rebellion (55).…”

Section: Human Lice From Archaeological Excavations and Human Body Rementioning

confidence: 99%

Human Lice in Paleoentomology and Paleomicrobiology

Drali

Mumcuoglu²,

Raoult

2016

Microbiol Spectr

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Lice are a classic example of cospeciation. Human lice confirm this cospeciation with lice specialized in hominids which differ from those of gorillas and chimpanzees. Head lice and body lice seem to belong to closely related species with different ecotypes and a different geographical distribution which may reflect population movements. Paleo-entomology allows us in some cases to trace the migrations of archaic human populations. The analysis of lice found on mummies in Egypt and South America has clarified a certain number of these migrations, also the study of lice and the diseases they transmit has shed a new light on the epidemics of the past.

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“…Records of head lice, pubic lice and body lice in ancient material mainly stem from the Old World (Mumcuoglu and Zias 1988;Capasso and DiTota 1998;Kenward 2001;Mumcuoglu et al 2003). Horne (1979) documented head lice infestation by gross examination and scanning electron microscopy in a 200-year-old Aleutian mummy.…”

Section: Human-parasite Interactions In the Context Of Evolution And mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Study of Parasites through Time: Archaeoparasitology and Paleoparasitology

Dittmar

Araújo

Reinhard

2011

A Companion to Paleopathology

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INTRODUCTIONTwo scientific fields have been pivotal in starting and advancing the study of parasite remains through time: archaeology and parasitology. Together, they have contributed major methodological and theoretical advances to the recovery and interpretation of parasitological data from times past. Specifically, the onset of the field of paleopathology proved to be a catalyzing factor in the early days of the field, as it not only brought attention to the study of pathology manifested in human skeletal remains, but also to other, understudied biological remains from archaeological sites, such as pollen, coprolites, latrine soils, and/or food remains. It was only a matter of time before conclusive findings of parasite remains at archaeological sites were recovered, and since then the study of parasite remains has gained appreciation and independence as a scientific field. The development of special collecting and survey techniques rapidly followed, leading to new possibilities through the rise of advanced DNA-sequencing techniques. Ever since its inception, the field has embraced an interdisciplinary approach, most notably collaborating with the fields of parasitology, (bio) archaeology, anthropology, paleopathology, ecology, and evolutionary biology.

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Body Louse Remains Found in Textiles Excavated at Masada, Israel

Cited by 37 publications

References 5 publications

Human parasites in the Roman World: health consequences of conquering an empire

Human parasites in the Roman World: health consequences of conquering an empire

Human Lice in Paleoentomology and Paleomicrobiology

The Study of Parasites through Time: Archaeoparasitology and Paleoparasitology

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