Helminth infections used to be common in the
humans in Denmark. The whipworm (Trichuris sp.)
and roundworm (Ascaris sp.) are of particular
interest as they produce very hard-shelled eggs,
which allow them to be recovered in the
environment after extended periods of time.
In this project we will investigate how the diversity
of food-borne parasitic infections has changed
with cultural and dietary habits, hunting practice
and intensity of animal husbandry. This is done by
isolating and typing ancient DNA remains from
parasite eggs found in archeological samples from
across Denmark.