Ancient DNA Provides Clues to Intestinal Parasites that Plagued Early Mexico

What Poop Reveals About Ancient Humans

Parasites are typically a rather private matter. And so, for that matter, is defecation. So likely never in their wildest dreams did the Loma San Gabriel people (in what is now Mexico), who answered nature’s call in a cave more than 1,000 years ago, imagine that future humans would be sifting through their droppings looking for clues. Nautilus Members enjoy an ad-free experience. Log in or Join now . Feces is an open window into the many other …

Ancient poop from Mexico’s ‘Cave of the Dead Children’ teems with parasites

Pinworm, bacterial E.coli, Blastocystis, and more.

1,300-year-old poop reveals pathogens plagued prehistoric people in Mexico's 'Cave of the Dead Children'

Scientists studied ancient poop and found loads of intestinal diseases.

Ancient DNA provides clues to intestinal parasites that plagued early Mexico

DNA within dried feces dating from more than 1,000 years ago provides valuable insights into the pathogens that plagued ancient Mexican peoples, according to a study published in PLOS One by Drew Capone of Indiana University, U.S., and colleagues.