Paleoparasitological results from coprolites dated at the Pleistocene–Holocene transition as source of paleoecological evidences in Patagonia

FUGASSA MARTÍN H.; BELTRAME M. ORNELA; SARDELLA NORMA H.; CIVALERO M. TERESA; ASCHERO CARLOS

JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Elsevier

Año: 2010 vol. 37 p. 880 - 884

0305-4403

Coprolites attributable to humans, dated from the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition, obtained from the archaeological site Cerro Casa de Piedra, Santa Cruz Province, were examined for parasites. The feces were processed by rehydration and spontaneous sedimentation using conventional parasitic procedures. Helminthic eggs recovered were identified as Trichuris sp., Calodium sp., other capilariids, and ancylostomid (Nematoda), Hymenolepis sp. and anoplocephalid (Cestoda); one oocyst attributable to Eimeria macusaniensis (Apicomplexa) was also found. Paleoparasitological results revealed the existence of an intensive relationship between parasites and humans in the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition in Patagonia. Evidences suggest an early association among parasites, rock shelters and hunters-gatherers in the region. It is also postulated that the ancient life styles were conductive to illness, especially those related to the feeding habits and the poor sanitary conditions.