Recovery of Helminth Eggs from Archaeological Excavations, and their Possible Usefulness in providing Evidence for the Purpose of an Occupation

Abstract

HELMINTH eggs vary widely in their structure and, consequently, in their ability to resist desiccation and destruction. But usually theirs is the most resistant stage in the life-cycle of the worm and any conclusions to be made, concerning early helminthic infections, are most likely to come from recognition of these eggs. These have been recovered from three sources: mummified or otherwise preserved bodies, formed stools and soil from cesspits or similar structures. While the first two sources can provide more positive identification of the origin of the eggs, it is from the third source that the greatest variety of species has been obtained, presumably because they accumulate over a period of time. Here is reported an investigation in which soil from a Roman Age occupation at Owlesbury, near Winchester, was examined in the hope that positive identification of eggs might provide some clue to the nature of the occupation, to supplement the archaeological evidence. I have reviewed the literature on similar investigations¹.