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http://dx.doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2014.52.5.569

V-shaped Pits in Regions of Ancient Baekje Kingdom Paleoparasitologically Confirmed as Likely Human-Waste Reservoirs  

Shin, Dong Hoon (Bioanthropology and Paleopathology Lab, Institute of Forensic Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
Shim, Sang-Yuck (Buyeo Cultural Heritage Center)
Kim, Myeung Ju (Department of Anatomy, Dankook University)
Oh, Chang Seok (Bioanthropology and Paleopathology Lab, Institute of Forensic Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
Lee, Mi-Hyun (Buyeo Cultural Heritage Center)
Jung, Suk Bae (Korea National University of Cultural Heritage)
Lee, Geon Il (Korea National University of Cultural Heritage)
Chai, Jong-Yil (Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
Seo, Min (Department of Parasitology and Research Center for Mummy, Dankook University)
Publication Information
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases / v.52, no.5, 2014 , pp. 569-573 More about this Journal
Abstract
In a paleo-parasitological analysis of soil samples obtained from V-shaped pits dating to the ancient Baekje period in Korean history, we discovered Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Clonorchis sinensis eggs. In light of the samples' seriously contaminated state, the V-shaped pits might have served as toilets, cesspits, or dung heaps. For a long period of time, researchers scouring archaeological sites in Korea have had difficulties locating such structures. In this context then, the present report is unique because similar kind of the ancient ruins must become an ideal resource for successful sampling in our forthcoming paleoparasitological studies.
Keywords
Ascaris lumbricoides; Trichuris trichiura; Clonorchis sinensis; helminth egg; paleoparasitology; Baekje Kingdom; V-shaped pit;
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