Raptor pellets as zooarchaeological material for paleoparasitological studies in Patagonia

Raptor pellets from Cerro Casa de Piedra archaeological sites, Patagonia, have yielded consistent evidence of parasitism and possible zoonoses in ancient times. Pellet samples analyzed were dated at 2740 ± 100 and 3.990 ± 80 years before present and have produced evidence of three intestinal parasite genera. Eggs of two nematodes Trichuris and Calodium, and one cestode, taeniid, were found. Its significance for rock shelters paleoepidemiology of the Holocene is discussed. This study increases the evidences that raptor pellets can be used as source of paleoparasitological information in archaeological sites.

► We examine raptor pellets as zooarchaeological material for paleoparasitological studies. ► Raptor pellets have yielded consistent evidence of parasitism and zoonoses in ancient times. ► Samples have produced evidence of three parasite genera: Trichuris, Calodium, and one taeniid. ► We discussed parasites significance for rock shelters paleoepidemiology of the Holocene. ► Raptor pellets can be used as a source of paleoparasitological information in archaeological sites.