Multi-proxy analysis of waterlogged preserved Late Neolithic canine excrements

• DOI: 10.1007/s00334-020-00805-y
• Publication Date: 2020-10-26T11:04:22Z
• Authors: Tjaša Tolar; Alfred Galik; Matthieu Le Bailly; Benjamin Dufour; Nina Caf; Borut Toškan; Elena Bužan; Lars Zver; Franc Janžekovič; Anton Velušček
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 0601 history and archaeology; 06 humanities and the arts; 15. Life on land

Multi-proxy analysis of the coprolites which were found during excavations at two Late Neolithic (fourth millennium bc) pile-dwelling sites (Crnelnik and Stare gmajne) in Slovenia yielded some new insights into human–dog relations and behaviour. The digested content is presented in a multidisciplinary approach, in which palynological, palaeoparasitological, archaeobotanical and archaeozoological features are studied and genetic signs are tested. Beside the origin of the coprolites, the size of an animal and the diet, the faeces provided some additional information, such as health, status, nutrition habits, environment and season.