Ancient Feces Reveal Millennia-Old Pathogens, Poor Sanitation in Prehistoric Mexican Culture

October 22, 2025
Ancient Feces Reveal Millennia-Old Pathogens, Poor Sanitation in Prehistoric Mexican Culture
  • Previous research identified parasites such as hookworm, whipworm, and pinworm in the cave's feces, indicating parasitic infections among the prehistoric inhabitants.

  • Scientists analyzed 1,100 to 1,300-year-old fecal samples from the Cave of the Dead Children in Durango, Mexico, to investigate ancient human health and intestinal parasites.

  • A study published in PLOS One examined these ancient feces, revealing the presence of gut parasites such as Blastocystis, various strains of E. coli, and surprisingly, pinworm, indicating widespread infection among the population.

  • The presence of these pathogens also helps distinguish human feces from animal waste, providing valuable insights into the health and sanitation conditions of the Loma San Gabriel culture.

  • Researchers employed a novel qPCR technique to detect specific pathogen genes, providing a more sensitive and targeted approach than traditional DNA sequencing, which can miss less abundant microbes.

  • The study found that pathogenic DNA could persist for up to 1,300 years, though some microbes may have decayed over time, suggesting the actual diversity of ancient pathogens could have been even greater.

  • Modern molecular methods demonstrate great potential for uncovering details about ancient health and disease transmission, with future research expected to analyze larger sample sizes for a more comprehensive understanding.

  • These findings highlight how advanced DNA analysis can shed light on past disease patterns and environmental conditions, offering insights into how ancient peoples lived and were affected by infectious diseases.

  • The detection of human-specific pathogens like pinworm and Shigella indicates poor sanitation among the ancient inhabitants, with every sample containing at least one microbe, suggesting widespread exposure to fecal contamination.

  • The samples, originating from the Rio Zape Valley near Durango and dating between A.D. 725 and 920, were excavated in the 1950s and reveal evidence of prehistoric human activity, including small-scale agriculture and child sacrifice.

  • These well-preserved samples act as a biological time capsule, offering a glimpse into health and daily life from over a millennium ago.

  • Although the study analyzed only ten samples focusing on select pathogens, it demonstrates the promising potential of modern molecular techniques to study ancient human microbiomes and pathogen presence.

Summary based on 3 sources


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