Neolithic Human Diet Based on Studies of Coprolites from the Swifterbant Culture Sites, the Netherlands
Synthesis - Human versus community diet
L. Kubiak-Martens (BIAX Consult)
M. van der Linden (BIAX Consult)
K. Hardy (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
H. Mackay (Durham University)
DJM Ngan-Tillard (TU Delft - Geo-engineering)
L.- M. Shillito (Newcastle University)
J.T. Zeiler (ArchaeoBone)
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Abstract
The aim of this final chapter is to integrate the results obtained from the multi-disciplinary study applied to a series of coprolites from the Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic Swifterbant Culture sites, to determine their role as a source of information about the prehistoric dietary tradition and health.
The study of coprolites provides a unique opportunity to reconstruct the most complete spectrum of the foods that were consumed in the past, both as cooked meals as well as foods that were eaten raw. In addition to the food remains, coprolites also contain intestinal parasites which affected the health of prehistoric populations. Coprolite studies can also provide information about palaeoenvironmental conditions through the types of microfossils and macrofossils they contain.