Paleoparasitological surveys for detection of helminth eggs in archaeological sites of Jeolla-do and Jeju-do

Korean J Parasitol. 2013 Aug;51(4):489-92. doi: 10.3347/kjp.2013.51.4.489. Epub 2013 Aug 30.

Abstract

A paleoparasitological survey to detect helminth eggs was performed in archaeological sites of Jeolla-do and Jeju-do, the Republic of Korea. Total 593 soil samples were collected in 12 sites of Jeolla-do and 5 sites of Jeju-do from April to November 2011, and examined by the methods of Pike and coworkers. A total of 4 helminth eggs, 2 eggs each for Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris sp., were found in soil samples from 1 site, in Hyangyang-ri, Jangheung-eup, Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do. The egg-recovery layer was presumed to represent a 19th century farm, which fact suggested the use of human manures. This is the third archaeological discovery of parasite eggs in Jeolla-do. Additionally, no helminth eggs in archaeological sites of Jeju-do is an interesting problem to be solved in the further investigations.

Keywords: Ascaris; Jeju-do; Jeolla-do; Trichuris trichiura; paleoparasitology.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Archaeology*
  • Ascaris / classification
  • Ascaris / isolation & purification*
  • History, Ancient
  • Humans
  • Ovum / classification
  • Paleontology*
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Parasitology / history*
  • Republic of Korea
  • Soil / parasitology*
  • Trichuris / classification
  • Trichuris / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Soil