Results of Archaeological and Parasitological Studies of the Cultural Layers At Bronze Age and Early Iron Age Settlements in the Crimea
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24852/2587-6112.2026.5.299.309Keywords:
archaeology, Western Crimea, Caspian Crimea, Classical period, Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, archaeological and parasitological studiesAbstract
A paleoparasitological study has been conducted on the cultural strata of of multi-time settlements dating to the Late Bronze Age (Sabatinovo-Belozersk time) and Classical period (VI–III centuries BC) settlements in the northwestern and eastern parts of the Crimean Peninsula. As a result of the analysis of soil samples from various contexts (dwellings, household pits, cattle enclosures), helminths of different species were identified, including Dicrocoelium sp., Trichuris sp. and Opisthorchis sp. It can be assumed with a high degree of probability that the genus Dicrocoelium sp. corresponds to the species Dicrocoelium lanceatum and Dicrocoelium dendriticum. Roundworms of the genus Trichuris sp. likely belong to the species Trichuris trichiura and Trichis ovis. The trematode identified as Opisthorchis sp. most probably belongs to the species Opisthorchis felineus. The study showed that the preservation of paleoparasitological material primarily depends on the conservation conditions and the nature of the covering material. Spatial analysis of the distribution of helminth eggs confirmed the cohabitation of humans and livestock. It was found that the high frequency of parasitic infestations was driven by three main factors: extensive cattle breeding (dicroceliosis), poor sanitation level (trichocephalosis) and specific dietary habits, namely the consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater fish (opisthorchiasis).
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