Dioctophymidae Eggs in Coprolites From Neolithic Site of Arbon–Bleiche 3 (Switzerland)

Abstract

Dioctophymidae eggs were found in human coprolites dated from 3,384 to 3,370 BC from the site Arbon-Bleiche 3, Switzerland. This is the first record of dioctophymiasis in archaeological material. The important percentage of this disease in the studied coprolites raises the question of a higher prevalence during the Neolithic than at present.