Dysentery found in Old Testament latrine, 7th Century BCE

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In summary, a recent study of ancient latrines in Jerusalem has found evidence of a common cause of diarrhea, the Giardia duodenalis parasite. These latrines were believed to belong to upper class elites based on their surrounding structures. Previous research has also shown the presence of other intestinal parasites in these latrines. The study was conducted by a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, Tel Aviv University, and the Israel Antiquities Authority, using techniques such as ELISA to identify the parasite antigens. However, it should be noted that these toilets did not come with heated seats.
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pinball1970
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A new analysis of ancient feces taken from two Jerusalem latrines dating back to the biblical Kingdom of Judah has uncovered traces of a single-celled microorganism Giardia duodenalis—a common cause of debilitating diarrhea in humans.
General description and link.

https://phys.org/news/2023-05-early-toilets-reveal-dysentery-testament.html

"A new analysis of ancient feces taken from two Jerusalem latrines dating back to the biblical Kingdom of Judah has uncovered traces of a single-celled microorganism Giardia duodenalis—a common cause of debilitating diarrhea in humans."

The latrine would have been upper class elite based on the archaeology of the structures around it.

The article goes on to say,

"Previous research has dated traces of the Entamoeba parasite, which also causes dysentery, as far back as Neolithic Greece over 4,000 years ago. Previous work has also shown that users of ancient Judean toilets were infected by other intestinal parasites including whipworm, tapeworm and pinworm.

This research was undertaken through a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, Tel Aviv University, and the Israel Antiquities Authority."

The paper here.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/jour...-century-bce/FD98E6D61F8D264616547EA4EBED69E4

ELISA was the technique used to identify the parasite antigens."microscopy with immunofluorescent monoclonal antibodies (Faulkner et al., Reference Faulkner, Patton and Johnson1989; Le Bailly et al., Reference Le Bailly, Gonçalves, Harter-Lailheugue, Prodéo, Araujo and Bouchet2008) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) that use antibodies to detect antigens uniquely made by these protozoan organisms (Gonçalves et al., Reference Gonçalves, Araújo, Duarte, Pereira da Silva, Reinhard, Bouchet and Ferreira2002, Reference Gonçalves, Da Silva, de Andrade, Reinhard, da Rocha, Le Bailly, Bouchet, Ferreira and Araújo2004; Le Bailly and Bouchet, Reference Le Bailly and Bouchet2006) have been found to be a successful way to detect these protozoa"
 
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Greg Bernhardt said:
Do they come with heated seats? :-p
Only by the person who was there before you.
 
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BillTre said:
Only by the person who was there before you.
Not at all keen on that even if it is a normal seat.
 

1. What evidence of dysentery was found in the Old Testament latrine from the 7th Century BCE?

Evidence of dysentery in the Old Testament latrine from the 7th Century BCE was primarily found through the analysis of coprolites, or fossilized human feces, excavated from the site. These coprolites contained traces of parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica, which is known to cause severe dysentery.

2. How did scientists determine the age of the latrine to the 7th Century BCE?

Scientists determined the age of the latrine to the 7th Century BCE using radiocarbon dating techniques on organic materials found within the latrine structure, such as wooden elements and the coprolites themselves. Additionally, the stratigraphic layer in which the latrine was found helped to corroborate the dating.

3. What does this discovery tell us about public health and hygiene practices in that era?

This discovery indicates that while there were attempts to manage waste and sanitation, such as the construction of latrines, there were still significant challenges in public health and hygiene. The presence of dysentery-causing parasites suggests that contamination and inadequate sanitary practices were prevalent, affecting the health of the population.

4. Are there similar findings of dysentery in other archaeological sites from the same period?

Yes, there are similar findings of dysentery and other parasitic infections in other archaeological sites from the same period across different regions. These findings are often discovered through the analysis of coprolites or sediment samples from latrines and burial sites, indicating that intestinal diseases were a common health issue in ancient populations.

5. How do these findings impact our understanding of ancient diseases and their management?

These findings enhance our understanding of the prevalence and impact of infectious diseases in ancient times, providing insights into how communities might have tried to manage these diseases. Studying ancient diseases through archaeological findings helps researchers understand the evolution of pathogens and the historical context of public health practices, influencing modern perspectives on disease management and hygiene.

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