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Parasitoses liées à l'alimentation chez les populations néolithiques du lac de Chalain (Jura, France)

Sophie DOMMELIER, Samira BENTRAD, Jean-Claude PAICHELER, Pierre PÉTREQUIN & Françoise BOUCHET

fr Anthropozoologica 27 - Pages 41-49

Published on 01 December 1998

Parasites associated with the diet of Neolithic populations at Lake Chalain (Jura, France)

The study of palaeoparasites from the lakeside of Chalain has focused particularly on coprolites which have revealed numerous eggs of helminths. The presence in situ of these parasitic elements attests to the development of several parasitoses related directly to dietary habits: ichtyophagy (Diphyllobothrium), creatophagy (Taenia), and phytophagy (Fasciola). The transmission of these parasites was promoted by the mode of preparation of foods and a lack of hygiene. The biological cycle of the different forms of recognized parasites is discussed and a hypothesis is advanced for the presence during the Neolithic of a variety of hosts at differing points during this cycle.


Keywords:

Palaeoparasitology, Neolithic, lakeside, coprolite, diet, France.

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