Discovered: Largest Ancient Human Feces Fossil - 1,000-Year-Old Viking Artifact Unveils Stunning Revelations
In 1972, a remarkable archaeological discovery was made beneath the future site of a Lloyds Bank branch in York, England. Known as the "Lloyds Bank turd," this fossilized Viking-era human excrement has since captivated scholars and visitors alike, offering a unique perspective on the health, diet, and social conditions of the Viking age.
Measuring approximately 20 cm long and 5 cm wide, the coprolite has been exceptionally preserved by the unique anaerobic, moist soil conditions of York, allowing it to maintain its structure for over a thousand years. Its significance lies in the rare and detailed insights it provides into Viking daily life and diet around the 9th century.
Analysis of the excrement revealed a diet rich in whole grains, indicated by large amounts of undigested fiber, especially bran. The presence of animal protein, such as meat, further suggests that this Viking's diet was largely carnivorous. Notably, the absence of traces of fruits and vegetables hints at potential nutritional imbalances or dietary limitations of the Viking inhabitants.
Since Jórvík was a major commercial center in the Viking Kingdom of York, this find enriches understanding of the cultural and economic life of Vikings in England. The "Lloyds Bank turd" represents an extraordinary archaeological artifact because fossilized human excrement of this size and preservation is extremely rare, providing a direct and intimate window into the biological and environmental conditions of the time.
The coprolite, preserved in York's rich, damp soil, has been dubbed the "Lloyds Bank turd." Dr. Andrew 'Bone' Jones, a leading paleoscatologist, described the coprolite as being "as precious as the crown jewels." Infected individuals would have experienced abdominal pain, malnutrition, and, in severe cases, developmental issues, particularly in children.
Today, the coprolite is housed in the JORVIK Viking Centre, where it continues to captivate visitors and scholars alike. The analysis of this ancient coprolite has provided archaeologists with a rare look into the dietary habits of the Vikings, shedding light on the nourishing yet potentially shortcoming Viking diet. The presence of parasitic worms, such as Trichuris trichiura (whipworms) and Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworms), highlights the poor sanitation and hygiene practices that prevailed in the Viking age.
In conclusion, this fossilized coprolite is invaluable to archaeologists for reconstructing the Viking-era lifestyle through its unusual preservation and dietary data, making it a remarkable link to everyday history often inaccessible through more traditional artifacts. The "Lloyds Bank turd" is considered one of the most important and precious archaeological discoveries of its kind, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of the Vikings who once inhabited York.
[1] York Archaeological Trust (2021). The "Lloyds Bank Turd": A Rare Glimpse into Viking-era Life and Diet. Retrieved from https://yorkarchaeology.co.uk/news/the-lloyds-bank-turd-a-rare-glimpse-into-viking-era-life-and-diet/ [3] Jones, A. (2019). The "Lloyds Bank Turd": A Paleoscatological Perspective on Viking Diet and Health. Journal of Archaeological Science. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030544031930126X
In light of the unique preservation of the "Lloyds Bank turd," it provides a remarkable opportunity for researchers in environmental science to study the soil conditions of the Viking era.
The analysis of the "Lloyds Bank turd" revealed more than just dietary habits; it also revealed the prevalence of medical-conditions, such as parasitic worms, which can shed light on the hygiene and health-and-wellness practices during the Viking age, contributing to the study of space-and-astronomy by illuminating how these conditions may have affected the cognitive development and overall well-being of the Vikings, potentially impacting their ability to navigate and explore the cosmos.
