Parasites in the Atacama Desert: New insights into the lifestyles of ancient human populations (3000–500 BP)

Ramirez, Darío Alejandro; Herrera-Soto, María José; Santana‐Sagredo, Francisca; Uribe-Rodriguez, Mauricio; Nores, Rodrigo

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103171

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…The finding of Strongylida eggs in camelid coprolites from Iluga Túmulos suggests exposure of human groups to these parasites associated with soil and pasture management in agricultural activities. Nevertheless, previous paleoparasitological analysis of human coprolites from this site yielded negative results (Ramirez, Herrera-Soto, et al, 2021).…”

Section: Strongylidmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Paleoparasitological studies have gathered valuable information on the dissemination of parasites among ancient populations worldwide and shed light on the relationship between parasites and subsistence strategies of human groups, the paleoenvironmental scenarios, and the ecological interactions between humans and nonhuman agents (Ferreira et al, 2014; Mitchell, 2015). In Chile, paleoparasitological research has focused on human populations, providing information on ancient lifestyles, health, and dietary habits (Arriaza et al, 2013; Ferreira et al, 1984; Iñiguez et al, 2003; Ramirez, Herrera‐Soto, et al, 2021; Reinhard & Urban, 2003; Vieira de Souza et al, 2018). Additionally, the analysis of animal samples consisted in the examination of rodent middens from the Atacama Desert by paleogenetic means (Wood et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gastrointestinal parasites in ancient South American camelid feces from the Atacama Desert (Pampa del Tamarugal, Tarapacá, northern Chile)

Ramirez

Herrera-Soto

Andreu³

et al. 2023

Archaeometry

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Faunal remains from archeological sites worldwide, especially feces and regurgitated pellets, are usually subjected to paleoparasitological examination, allowing the identification of past animal parasites. In this study, we analyzed 10 samples of South American camelid dung, which played an important role for the ancient human groups in the South‐Central Andes, dated between 341 and 1635 calCE, from the Iluga Túmulos site (Pampa del Tamarugal, Tarapacá region, Atacama Desert, Chile). Microscopy examination revealed parasite remains in seven samples, in which oocysts of Eimeria macusaniensis and eggs of Lamanema chavezi/Nematodirus lamae, Trichuris sp., Moniezia sp., capillariids, strongylids, and unidentified nematodes were found. Although some of these species pose a potential health risk to camelids, most are not considered to be of major zoonotic importance, which could explain the absence of these parasites on human coprolites from this site analyzed previously. This first paleoparasitological study on camelid fecal remains from northern Chile sheds light on the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites and its relationship with Andean ancient human populations and the environment.

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Section: Strongylidmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gastrointestinal parasites in ancient South American camelid feces from the Atacama Desert (Pampa del Tamarugal, Tarapacá, northern Chile)

Ramirez

Herrera-Soto

Andreu³

et al. 2023

Archaeometry

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“…Open circles are negative sites; closed circles are positive. Our research area overlaps with the analysis of modern Adenocephalus pacificus prevalence (Kuchta et al, 2015) and survey of prehistoric distribution (Ramirez et al, 2021). The cluster of negative sites in the center of the study region is associated with the emergence of agricultural societies in the Tarapacá region.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Today's readers will find three other resources. Most recently, analyses of coprolites and mummies dating from 5,000 to 500 yr ago were published (Ramirez et al, 2021). This adds to the picture of emergent tapeworm infection along the Andean coasts.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An analysis that focused on dog mummies from the farming community, Chiribaya Baja, was the first to explore parasitism beyond Homo sapiens (Richardson et al, 2012). These studies (Holiday et al, 2003;Richardson et al, 2012;Ramirez et al, 2021), like most of the studies reviewed by Kuchta et al (2015), were prevalence analyses. Martinson et al (2003), Reinhard andUrban (2003), andSantoro et al (2003) presented data in terms of prevalence and quantification on the basis of epg data.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Paleoepidemiology of Diphyllobothriosis: Cultural and Environmental Factors Affecting Adenocephalus Intensity and Prevalence

Reinhard,

Arriaza,

Avery

et al. 2023

Journal of Parasitology

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Microparticles from dental calculus disclose paleoenvironmental and palaeoecological records

D'Agostino,

Di Marco,

Rolfo

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Plants have always represented a key element in landscape delineation. Indeed, plant diversity, whose distribution is influenced by geographic/climatic variability, has affected both environmental and human ecology. The present contribution represents a multi‐proxy study focused on the detection of starch, pollen and non‐pollen palynomorphs in ancient dental calculus collected from pre‐historical individuals buried at La Sassa and Pila archaeological sites (Central Italy). The collected record suggested the potential use of plant taxa by the people living in Central Italy during the Copper‐Middle Bronze Age and expanded the body of evidence reported by previous palynological and palaeoecological studies. The application of a microscopic approach provided information about domesticated crops and/or gathered wild plants and inferred considerations on ancient environments, water sources, and past health and diseases. Moreover, the research supplied data to define the natural resources (e.g., C4‐plant intake) and the social use of the space during that period. Another important aspect was the finding of plant clues referable to woody habitats, characterised by broad‐leaved deciduous taxa and generally indicative of a warm‐temperate climate and grassy vegetation. Other unusual records (e.g., diatoms, brachysclereids) participated in defining the prehistoric ecological framework. Thus, this work provides an overview on the potential of the human dental calculus analysis to delineate some features of the ancient plant ecology and biodiversity.

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Parasites in the Atacama Desert: New insights into the lifestyles of ancient human populations (3000–500 BP)

Cited by 4 publications

References 58 publications

Gastrointestinal parasites in ancient South American camelid feces from the Atacama Desert (Pampa del Tamarugal, Tarapacá, northern Chile)

Gastrointestinal parasites in ancient South American camelid feces from the Atacama Desert (Pampa del Tamarugal, Tarapacá, northern Chile)

Paleoepidemiology of Diphyllobothriosis: Cultural and Environmental Factors Affecting Adenocephalus Intensity and Prevalence

Microparticles from dental calculus disclose paleoenvironmental and palaeoecological records

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