New Data on the Archaeoparasitology of the Northern Black Sea Region (The Phanagoria Necropolis Materials)

Abstract

Introduction. The article presents the results of archaeoparasitological analysis of the Phanagoria necropolis materials. Methods and materials. We studied soil samples obtained during the processing of anthropological material (sacrums) from 45 individuals. Results. The eggs of two species of intestinal parasites - human whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and broad tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum) were found. Analysis. Consideration of the obtained data in the historical and cultural context has shown that similar, relatively high frequency of parasitosis caused by human whipworm is observed virtually in all investigated archaeological monuments from the Mediterranean, which are synchronic to the studied period of existence of Phanagoria. This may indicate the absence of fundamental differences in the causes of the incidence of trichuriasis between the “ancient centers” and their periphery. The absence of statistically reliable differences in the incidence of trichuriasis between epochs, and also between gender and age groups, indicate the same intensity of the factors leading to the infection of the ancient population of Phanagoria with this pathogen in all studied time periods of the city, regardless of gender and age. The same route of transmission of human worms and a number of intestinal infections also indicates the assumed high frequency of the latter. The detection of Diphillobothrium latum eggs indicates the presence of freshwater fish in the diet, which led to the assumption of a high importance of the latter for the fishery in Phanagoria. Diphillobothriasis infestation in more remote areas also cannot be ruled out, given the presence of roads and the ability to move to other river basins. Authors’ contribution. S.M. Slepchenko organized the study, conducted microscopy, processed and interpreted obtained data. Writing of the article. A.N. and O.M. Voroshilov conducted excavations, composited archaeological context, involved in interpreting the data. M.O. Filimonova performed laboratory processing of the crosses and microscopy of the material. N.G. Svirkina carried out the selection of sacrums stored in the museum of the Phanagoria Reserve.