International journal of paleopathology · 2025
Paleoparasitological evidence of helminth infections in individuals from two Late Iron Age necropolises in Northern Italy (3rd-1st c. BCE).
СтатьяИсторическая статьяПоддержка исследования: вне правительства СШАНазвание и аннотация: Перевод в очереди
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López-Gijón Ramón, Laffranchi Zita, Teegen Wolf-Rüdiger, Le Bailly Matthieu, Duras Salvatore, Roche Kévin, Vitali Daniele, Salzani Luciano, Zink Albert, Milella Marco
Аннотация
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the presence of digestive macroparasites (helminths) in human remains from the Late Iron Age (3rd-1st c. BCE) in northern Italy (Verona province).
MATERIALS: Pelvic soil samples and control samples from the skull or foot areas of 55 individuals from the necropolises of Seminario Vescovile (n = 45) and Povegliano Veronese (n = 10).
METHODS: All samples were examined using brightfield optical microscopy. In addition, soil samples from 10 individuals from Seminario were analysed through paleogenetic methods in order to complement the microscopic analysis.
RESULTS: Thirty Ascaridida eggs in pelvic samples from 6 individuals (3 from Seminario and 3 from Povegliano: 6.7 % and 30 % of the respective samples) were evaluated. Evidence of roundworm infection was observed in both sexes and in adults and non-adult individuals.
CONCLUSION: The presence of Ascaridida, likely Ascaris sp., eggs at both sites suggests that ineffective sanitation may have contributed to parasite exposure in these Late Iron Age communities.
SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides novel insights into environmental and health risks among Iron Age communities. It also highlights the need for a critical assessment of taphonomic factors and sampling procedures when interpreting paleoparasitological data.
LIMITATIONS: The low frequency of identified eggs and the absence of recoverable parasite DNA at Seminario highlight taphonomic factors as a potential source of bias. The limited sample size from Povegliano also warrants caution in interpretation.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Future studies integrating paleoparasitological and anthropological data are essential to evaluate the prevalence of parasitic infections in Iron Age populations from the Italian Peninsula.
MATERIALS: Pelvic soil samples and control samples from the skull or foot areas of 55 individuals from the necropolises of Seminario Vescovile (n = 45) and Povegliano Veronese (n = 10).
METHODS: All samples were examined using brightfield optical microscopy. In addition, soil samples from 10 individuals from Seminario were analysed through paleogenetic methods in order to complement the microscopic analysis.
RESULTS: Thirty Ascaridida eggs in pelvic samples from 6 individuals (3 from Seminario and 3 from Povegliano: 6.7 % and 30 % of the respective samples) were evaluated. Evidence of roundworm infection was observed in both sexes and in adults and non-adult individuals.
CONCLUSION: The presence of Ascaridida, likely Ascaris sp., eggs at both sites suggests that ineffective sanitation may have contributed to parasite exposure in these Late Iron Age communities.
SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides novel insights into environmental and health risks among Iron Age communities. It also highlights the need for a critical assessment of taphonomic factors and sampling procedures when interpreting paleoparasitological data.
LIMITATIONS: The low frequency of identified eggs and the absence of recoverable parasite DNA at Seminario highlight taphonomic factors as a potential source of bias. The limited sample size from Povegliano also warrants caution in interpretation.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Future studies integrating paleoparasitological and anthropological data are essential to evaluate the prevalence of parasitic infections in Iron Age populations from the Italian Peninsula.