The ancient Romans who guarded Hadrian's Wall were riddled with worms and parasites
The Romans living in ancient Britain suffered from intestinal parasites that were spread through fecal contamination.
The ancient Romans in Britain were riddled with intestinal parasites that were spread through human feces.
new analysis sewer system in Vindolanda, Roman fort near Hadrian's Wall, found that residents in ancient times were infected with at least three intestinal parasites – roundworms, whipworms and Giardia duodenum.
Roundworms and whipworms live in the intestines and cause a variety of illnesses, including abdominal pain, nausea, fever and diarrhea. Roundworms can grow up to 30 centimeters, while whipworms tend to be smaller. People can become infected by eating food or drink contaminated with human feces containing the eggs of these worms. Giardia duodenumMeanwhile, this is not a worm, but a tiny organism that lives mainly inside the small intestine. It exists in two forms—cysts and trophozoites—and causes giardiasis, a disease that causes severe diarrhea and makes it difficult for the body to absorb vital nutrients. It is also spread through human waste.
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For analysis published in the journal ParasitologyThe researchers examined 50 sediment samples taken from the drainage of a third-century latrine at the fort. About 28 percent of the samples contained whipworm or roundworm eggs, while others contained traces of Giardia duodenum. A sample from an older structure dating back to the first century also contained worms.
All this suggests that ancient romans probably weren't as picky about hand washing and eating as we are today. The feces may also have contaminated the drinking water supply at Fort Vindolanda, causing residents to feel sick. And once the Romans were infected, little could be done, says study co-author Marissa Ledger, a medical microbiology resident at McMaster University in Ontario. statement.
“Although the Romans knew about intestinal worms, their doctors could do little to eliminate infestations of these parasites or help those suffering from diarrhea, meaning symptoms could persist and worsen,” Ledger said.
The conditions almost certainly affected the Romans' ability to defend Hadrian's Wall, a vital defensive structure built by the Romans in 122 AD to defend against the Picts and other tribes living to the north. Disease outbreaks would be common, with dozens of people becoming infected at the same time.
Ultimately, the results show that the life of the Roman soldier at Hadrian's Wall was quite miserable, the researchers say. “Excavations at Vindolanda continue to uncover new evidence that helps us understand the incredible hardships faced by those sent to this north-western frontier of the Roman Empire almost 2,000 years ago,” said Andrew Birley, co-author of the study and CEO of the Vindolanda Charitable Trust.
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