Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

The Korea Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (대한기생충학·열대의학회)
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Two Helminthic Cases of Human Mummy Remains from Joseon-Period Graves in Korea

  • Oh, Chang Seok (Department of Mortuary Science, College of Bio-Convergence, Eulji University) ;
  • Lee, Hyejin (Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification) ;
  • Kim, Jieun (Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Hong, Jong Ha (Institute of Archaeology and Ancient History, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Cha, Soon Chul (Seorabeol Institute of Cultural Properties) ;
  • Chai, Jong-Yil (Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Ha, Cheol Min (Hangang Institute of Cultural Heritage) ;
  • Kang, Ryang-Ji (Gaon Research Institute of Cultural Properties) ;
  • Lim, Do-Seon (Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Science, Eulji University) ;
  • Shin, Dong Hoon (Institute of Forensic and Anthropological Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Seo, Min (Department of Parasitology, Dankook University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2020.12.14
  • Accepted : 2021.03.25
  • Published : 2021.04.30
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Abstract

Our previous research on coprolite specimens from the mummies of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910 CE) has revealed various species of parasite eggs. Herein, we added 2 new helminthic cases of human remains from Joseon-period graves in the Republic of Korea (Korea). The organic materials precipitated on the hip bones of 2 half-mummied cases (Goryeong and Gwangmyeong cases) were collected, rehydrated, and examined by a microscope. In the sample from Goryeong-gun (gun=County), ova of Trichuris trichiura, Clonorchis sinensis, and Metagonimus spp. were detected, and eggs of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides were found from the sample of Gwangmyeong-si (si=City). By adding this outcome to the existing data pool, we confirm our previous estimates of Joseon-period parasite infection rates. The overall rates of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and C. sinensis decreased dramatically from Joseon to the modern period. In Goryeong mummy specimen, we also found Metagonimus spp. eggs that has rarely been detected in archaeological samples so far.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea by the Ministry of Science and ICT (2020R1A2C1010708).

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