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Opisthorchiasis in infant remains from the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground of XII-XIII centuries AD |
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| Authors: | Sergey Mikhailovich Slepchenko Alexander Vasilevich Gusev Sergey Nikolaevich Ivanov Evgenia Olegovna Svyatova |
| Institution: | 1.Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Problems of the Development of the North, Tyumen, Siberia, Russia;2.YaNAO Arctic Research Center, Archeology Department, Archeology and Ethnology Sector, Salekhard, YaNAO, Russia;3.Institution of Culture of Sverdlovsk Region, Center for Protection and Use of Monuments of History and Culture of Sverdlovsk Region, Scientific and Production Center, Ekaterinburg, Urais, Russia |
| Abstract: | We present a paleoparasitological analysis of the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground of the XII-XII centuries AD located in the northern part of Western Siberia. Parasite eggs, identified as eggs of Opisthorchis felineus, were found in the samples from the pelvic area of a one year old infant buried at the site. Presence of these eggs in the soil samples from the infant’s abdomen suggests that he/she was infected with opisthorchiasis and imply consumption of undercooked fish. Ethnographic records collected among the population of the northern part of Western Siberia reveal numerous cases of feeding raw fish to their children. Zeleniy Yar case of opisthorchiasis suggests that this dietary custom has persisted from at least medieval times. |
| Keywords: | Opisthorchis felineus paleoparasitology paleopathology Western Siberia health status food processing |