NAR 77: Neolithic Human Diet on Studies of Coprolites from the Swifterbant Culture Sites, the Netherlands
This publication presents the results of a three-year research project of the fossils of human feces, named Coprolites. The coprolites were found during the excavations at the Swifterbant Culture Sites, mostly in the province of Flevoland. The research was conducted by BIAX Consult.
New insights
The aim of the project was to assess the diet and health of the Swifterbant Culture populations through the analysis of coprolites from sites. A group of seven specialists from universities and commercial companies worked together, each contributing distinct data sets to the project. Multiple proxies were combined, including faecal steroids, micro-CT scans, SEM images, animal bone remains, phytoliths, pollen, intestinal parasites and starch granules. The results gave completely new insights into the diet of neolithic population in the Netherlands and the hygienic conditions in which they lived.
The research was performed in light of the Knowledge for Archaeology program and was assigned by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. Please note that this publication is written in Dutch: programma Kennis voor Archeologie (2018-2021).
Colophon
Series: Nederlandse Archeologische Rapporten (NAR) 77
Editors: L. Kubiak-Martens, M. van der Linden
Authors: K. Hardy, L. Kubiak-Martens & M. van der Linden, H.Mackay, D. Ngan-Tillard, L.-M. Shillito en W. van der Meer
Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, Amersfoort, 2022