Analysis of pollen and intestinal parasite eggs from medieval graves from Nivelles, Belgium: Taphonomy of the burial ritual

Pollen and intestinal parasite eggs of a number of burials from a medieval cemetery at Nivelles (Belgium) have been studied. The results of the pollen analysis provide indications for the use of straw and hay in the medieval burial ritual. Pollen assemblages from samples from the pelvic area of the skeletons, which are generally believed to represent the contents of the digestive tract, are potentially also influenced by this practice. The consequences for the palynological analysis and interpretation of pollen assemblages from medieval burials are discussed. The parasitological analysis shows a high infection rate of Trichuris and Ascaris in the medieval population of Nivelles.