Residue inside Roman chamber pots from sites along the lower Danube has been found to contain traces of intestinal parasites.
The material comes from Novae and Marcianopolis in modern-day Bulgaria. The vessels date to the 2nd-4th centuries AD. Deposits that formed on the inside surfaces—made up of urine and faecal matter—have hardened over time, preserving microscopic remains.
The study was led by Elena Klenina of Adam Mickiewicz University, with researchers from the University of Warsaw and the Medical University of Warsaw. The results were published in Heritage Science.
Examination of the deposits revealed tapeworm eggs (Taenia sp.), along with evidence of Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium parvum, organisms associated with intestinal illness.
These vessels were typically kept indoors for use when outdoor facilities were not accessible. As a result, the residues found within them derive from human activity rather than from animal sources.
Entamoeba histolytica is transmitted via contaminated food or water, or through direct contact. While infection can pass unnoticed, it is also known to cause dysentery. Its presence in the Mediterranean region extends back into early periods of human settlement.
Cryptosporidium parvum is also spread through water, food, or contact with infected animals. It can cause illness ranging from mild to severe, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. It was first identified in modern science in the early 20th century.
The material from Novae is now regarded as the earliest confirmed evidence of Cryptosporidium parvum in a Roman-period context in Europe. Only one earlier example on the continent, from the Balearic Islands and dated to around 3000 BC, has been identified. Earlier research linked the parasite mainly to findings from Central America, however, the new evidence places it in Europe much earlier.
Contaminated water is one possible route of transmission. At Novae, water was taken from the Danube and stored before use. Contact with animals is another likely factor.
Handling of waste would also have increased exposure. Chamber pots had to be emptied by hand, and human waste was sometimes used as fertiliser. Both practices could allow parasites to spread.
The analysis combined microscopy, ancient DNA work, and enzyme-based testing. The vessels themselves come from long-term excavations at Novae carried out over several decades.
The evidence comes directly from material preserved in everyday objects, providing a record of disease without relying on written accounts.
Header Image Credit : UAM
Sources : Science In Poland