The Lloyds Bank coprolite is a large coprolite, or fossilised specimen of human faeces, recovered by the York Archaeological Trust while excavating the Viking settlement of Jórvík (present-day York) in northern England.
| Lloyds Bank coprolite | |
|---|---|
 On display at Jorvik Viking Centre | |
| Material | Palaeofaeces |
| Created | 9th century |
| Discovered | 1972 excavation, Pavement, York |
| Present location | Jorvik Viking Centre |
Description
editThe coprolite was found in 1972 beneath the site of what was to become the branch of Lloyds Bank on Pavement in York, and may be the largest example of fossilised human faeces (palaeofaeces) ever found,[1] measuring 20 centimetres (8 in) long and 5 centimetres (2 in) wide. Analysis of the stool has indicated that its producer subsisted largely on meat and bread, despite evidence suggesting that other people at the same place and time had access to fruits, leeks, shellfish, and nuts.[2] The stool had undergone mineralisation, unlike some other human coprolites which are preserved by desiccation.[3] The presence of several hundred parasitic eggs suggests the person was riddled with intestinal worms (specifically maw-worms and whipworms[4]). In 1991, Andrew Jones, a York Archaeological Trust employee and palaeoscatologist, made international news with his appraisal of the item for insurance purposes: "This is the most exciting piece of excrement I've ever seen ... In its own way, it's as irreplaceable as the Crown Jewels".[5] The layers that covered the coprolite were moist and peaty. The archaeologists also recovered preserved timber, textiles and leather from the site.[6]
Display
editThe specimen was put on display at the Archaeological Resource Centre, an outreach and education centre run by the York Archaeological Trust.[2] In 2003, the coprolite broke into three pieces after being dropped while being exhibited to a party of visitors, and efforts were undertaken to reconstruct it.[2] It has been displayed at Jorvik Viking Centre since 2008.
References
edit- ^ Brewer, Kirstie (12 May 2016). "Paleoscatologists dig up stools 'as precious as the crown jewels'". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Ltd. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ^ a b c Simon Jeffery (6 June 2003). "Museum's broken treasure not just any old shit". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- ^ Jones, A (1983). "A Coprolite from 6–8 Pavement". In Hall, AR; Kenward, HK; Williams, D; Greig, JRA (eds.). Environment and living conditions at two Anglo-Scandinavian sites (PDF). York: Council of British Archaeology. pp. 225–229. ISBN 0-906780-30-6.
- ^ Camacho, Morgana; Araújo, Adauto; Morrow, Johnica; Buikstra, Jane; Reinhard, Karl (December 2018). "Recovering parasites from mummies and coprolites: an epidemiological approach". Parasites & Vectors. 11 (1): 248. doi:10.1186/s13071-018-2729-4. ISSN 1756-3305. PMC 5902992. PMID 29661215.
- ^ Horwitz, Tony (9 September 1991). "Endangered Feces: Paleo-Scatologist Plumbs Old Privies --- It May Not Be the Lost Ark, But Then, Andrew Isn't Exactly Indiana Jones". Wall Street Journal. p. A1.
- ^ "Coppergate Dig". Jorvik Viking Centre. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
External links
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