Archaeologists found a new way to analyze paleo poop

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Combing through samples of ancient feces probably isn't going to be many people's idea of a roaring good time. However, for archaeologists keen on learning more about the health and diet of past populations—as well as how certain parasites evolved, the evolutionary history of the microbiome—such samples can be a veritable goldmine of information.

Yet it can be difficult to determine whether fecal samples are human or were produced by other animals, particularly dogs. Now an international team of scientists has devised a new method of doing so that combines host DNA and gut microbiome analysis with open source machine-learning software, according to a new paper in the journal PeerJ.

There are some helpful clues. For instance, ancient dog poo samples "typically contain masses of short, nibbled dog hairs and odd inclusions, such as fragments of clothing and rope," the authors of the PeerJ paper wrote. The presence of specific parasites can also indicate whether a sample is human or canine, such as eggs from pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis), which are typically only present in human feces. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can also be useful for identifying plant remains (such as pollen grains) in ancient samples. Rehydrating the samples can also help make the distinction, since human feces will turn the rehydration solution dark brown or black; animal samples typically remain clear or turn yellow.

"Identifying human coprolites should be the first step for ancient human microbiome analysis," said co-author Maxime Borry. "With additional data about the gut metagenomes of non-Westernized rural dogs, we'll be better able to classify even more ancient dog feces as in fact being canine, as opposed to 'uncertain.'"

Spoiler

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/04/archaeologists-now-have-a-handy-new-tool-for-analyzing-paleo-poop/

[tomsches 17,553]

Finally some good news.

[bloody g 31,746]

12 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said:

The presence of specific parasites can also indicate whether a sample is human or canine, such as eggs from pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis), which are typically only present in human feces.

[Eighteen 5,430]

i wonder how @dannydevito feels being analyzed so closely 

edit:

he's been gone a long time 

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1 minute ago, bloody grammys said:

Stream Born to Die: The Parasite Edition by Lana Del Rey.

[Helxig 45,439]

Hehe. We know which ones are dog poop because they chewed on their owners belongings and played tug of war