A recent study published in the journal Parasitology reveals that ancient feces taken from two Jerusalem latrines dating back to the biblical Kingdom of Judah contain traces of Giardia duodenalis, a single-celled microorganism that commonly causes debilitating diarrhea in humans. This discovery is the oldest known example of this diarrhea-causing parasite infecting humans anywhere on the planet. The research team, led by the University of Cambridge, suggests that dysentery was endemic in the Kingdom of Judah due to the presence of these parasites in sediment from two Iron Age Jerusalem cesspits. Dysentery is a term that describes intestinal infectious diseases caused by parasites and bacteria that trigger diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and dehydration. It can be fatal, particularly for young children. The spread of dysentery is caused by feces contaminating drinking water or food, and it is suspected to have been a big problem in early cities of the ancient Near East due to overcrowding, heat and flies, and limited water available in the summer.
2023-05-26 06:30:03
Article from phys.org