Paleoparasitological evidence of helminth infections in individuals from two Late Iron Age necropolises in Northern Italy (3rd-1st c. BCE)

Objective

Evaluate the presence of digestive macroparasites (helminths) in human remains from the Late Iron Age (3rd-1st c. BCE) in northern Italy (Verona province).

Materials

Pelvic soil samples and control samples from the skull or foot areas of 55 individuals from the necropolises of Seminario Vescovile (n = 45) and Povegliano Veronese (n = 10).

Methods

All samples were examined using brightfield optical microscopy. In addition, soil samples from 10 individuals from Seminario were analysed through paleogenetic methods in order to complement the microscopic analysis.

Results

Thirty Ascaridida eggs in pelvic samples from 6 individuals (3 from Seminario and 3 from Povegliano: 6.7 % and 30 % of the respective samples) were evaluated. Evidence of roundworm infection was observed in both sexes and in adults and non-adult individuals.

Conclusion

The presence of Ascaridida, likely Ascaris sp., eggs at both sites suggests that ineffective sanitation may have contributed to parasite exposure in these Late Iron Age communities.

Significance

This study provides novel insights into environmental and health risks among Iron Age communities. It also highlights the need for a critical assessment of taphonomic factors and sampling procedures when interpreting paleoparasitological data.

Limitations

The low frequency of identified eggs and the absence of recoverable parasite DNA at Seminario highlight taphonomic factors as a potential source of bias. The limited sample size from Povegliano also warrants caution in interpretation.

Suggestions for further research

Future studies integrating paleoparasitological and anthropological data are essential to evaluate the prevalence of parasitic infections in Iron Age populations from the Italian Peninsula.