Parasitic infections and resource economy of Danish Iron Age settlement through ancient DNA sequencing.
Authors: Tams Katrine Wegener, Jensen Søe Martin, Merkyte Inga, Valeur Seersholm Frederik, Henriksen Peter Steen, Klingenberg Susanne, Willerslev Eske, Kjær Kurt H, Hansen Anders Johannes, Kapel Christian Moliin Outzen
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary Ancient DNA sequencing of sediment from a 1st-century Danish settlement pond has revealed detailed parasitic profiles spanning three centuries, with implications for understanding historical animal husbandry practices and disease burden. Researchers combined microscopic examination of soil samples with next-generation DNA sequencing of three distinct sediment layers (100 BC–200 AD) to identify intestinal parasites at species level and cross-reference findings with plant and animal DNA recovered from the same contexts. Ascaris species dominated the parasite load, whilst consistent detection of human whipworm (*Trichuris trichiura*) and beef tapeworm (*Taenia saginata*) across all layers confirmed continuous human faecal contamination of the pond; crucially, the persistent presence of *T. saginata* implies year-round access to infected beef and suggests cattle were permanently housed near the settlement throughout the period. Fluctuating parasites specific to pigs (*Trichuris suis*), horses (*Parascaris univalens*), dogs and sheep (*Taenia hydatigena*) indicate dynamic livestock management, with animals entering and leaving the settlement across the three-century window. For equine professionals, the identification of *Parascaris univalens* demonstrates that even in antiquity, horses carried significant parasite burdens and were subject to faecal-oral contamination risk—a reminder that modern parasite control protocols reflect centuries of necessity rather than recent invention.
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Practical Takeaways
- •This archaeological study demonstrates that equine parasites like Parascaris univalens have affected horses for over 2000 years, indicating the longstanding nature of parasite management challenges in equine populations
- •The presence of multiple host-specific parasites in ancient settlements suggests that parasite control in mixed animal systems has been a persistent management concern throughout history
Key Findings
- •Ancient DNA analysis of three sediment layers (100 BC to 200 AD) identified multiple parasite species reflecting household and animal practices in Iron Age settlements
- •Continuous presence of human whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata) across all layers suggests persistent human faecal disposal and beef consumption throughout the period
- •Host-specific parasites including Parascaris univalens (horse), Trichuris suis (pig), and Taenia hydatigena (dog/sheep) showed fluctuating presence indicating changing composition of domestic animal populations over three centuries