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

Analysis of Neolithic coprolites from Durrington Walls, a settlement linked to Stonehenge's construction (2500 BCE), reveals evidence of intestinal parasite infections and dietary practices. Five out of 19 samples contained helminth eggs: one identified as fish tapeworm (likely Dibothriocephalus dendriticus), indicating exposure to raw or undercooked freshwater fish, while four showed capillariid nematodes, suggesting consumption of animal organs. Bile acid and sterol analysis suggests the majority of these parasites originated from dogs, with only one sample likely human-derived. This study provides novel insights into parasitic risks and dietary habits during a pivotal phase in Stonehenge's history.

Mitchell, P. D., Anastasiou, E., Whelton, H. L., Bull, I. D., Parker Pearson, M., & Shillito, L.-M. (2022). Intestinal parasites in the Neolithic population who built Stonehenge (Durrington Walls, 2500 BCE). Parasitology, 149(8), 1027–1033. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182022000476