Intestinal parasites in the Neolithic population who built Stonehenge (Durrington Walls, 2500 BCE)

Abstract

Durrington Walls was a large Neolithic settlement in Britain dating around 2500 BCE, located very close to Stonehenge and likely to be the campsite where its builders lived during its main stage of construction. Nineteen coprolites recovered from a midden and associated pits at Durrington Walls were analysed for intestinal parasite eggs using digital light microscopy. Five (26%) contained helminth eggs, 1 with those of fish tapeworm (likely Dibothriocephalus dendriticus) and 4 with those of capillariid nematodes. Analyses of bile acid and sterol from these 5 coprolites show 1 to be of likely human origin and the other 4 to likely derive from dogs. The presence of fish tapeworm reveals that the Neolithic people who gathered to feast at Durrington Walls were at risk of infection from eating raw or undercooked freshwater fish. When the eggs of capillariids are found in the feces of humans or dogs it normally indicates that the internal organs (liver, lung or intestines) of animals with capillariasis have been eaten, and eggs passed through the gut without causing disease. Their presence in multiple coprolites provides new evidence that internal organs of animals were consumed. These novel findings improve our understanding of both parasitic infection and dietary habits associated with this key Neolithic ceremonial site.

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“…A key social media highlight has been the impressive altmetric scores that Mitchell et al (2022) achieved (Fig. 1).…”

“…Our general OneHealth interest is maintained across all seven editors. 'Meet the Editors' seeks to help authors and readers better understand our primary editorial skills base and how we might initially triage submitted manuscripts before A key social media highlight has been the impressive altmetric scores that Mitchell et al (2022) achieved (Fig. 1).…”

“…1.Social media scores of Mitchell et al . (2022) demonstrate wider interest in human parasites from the Neolithic period and captures national and international interest. As of 5 th September 2022, there were 5467 views of this article with 11 associated blogs, one of which was from New Scientist (see ).…”

“…Fig.1. Social media scores ofMitchell et al (2022) demonstrate wider interest in human parasites from the Neolithic period and captures national and international interest. As of 5 th September 2022, there were 5467 views of this article with 11 associated blogs, one of which was from New Scientist (see https://www.newscientist.com/article/2321267-the-people-who-built-stonehenge-may-have-eaten-raw-cattle-organs/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_ medium=RSS&utm_content=home).…”