A microscopic meal
At the archaeological site of Jartepa II in southern Uzbekistan, scientists have analyzed some of the most direct evidence of ancient life imaginable: human coprolites, or preserved feces. These specimens, dated to around 2,000 BCE, provide a detailed snapshot of the diet and health of people from the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC), also known as the Oxus Civilization. This Bronze Age culture thrived in the oases of the otherwise arid Kara-Kum Desert.
Analysis of the Jartepa II coprolites shows a diet based heavily on terrestrial plants. The primary grain was millet, a hardy cereal well-suited to the environment. Evidence for fruits, such as grapes, was also found within the fecal remains, showing a population practicing settled agriculture. The most unexpected discovery was the significant quantity of fish remains. The presence of fish bones indicates that these inland people, living far from major seas, were successfully exploiting local rivers, likely the Amu Darya (ancient Oxus River) and its tributaries. This river system would have supported various freshwater fish, including local sturgeon species, and shows a diversification of their food sources beyond farming and herding.
The findings suggest a well-established agricultural society with sophisticated knowledge of their local environment. They cultivated grains, foraged for fruits, and fished in local rivers, creating a varied and resilient food system in a challenging environment.
Bronze age health and environment
Beyond diet, coprolites record ancient health and disease. The microscopic examination of the Jartepa II samples revealed the eggs of intestinal parasites. While specific species from this site are not detailed, a common parasite associated with eating undercooked freshwater fish is the fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum). Such parasites can grow to several meters long inside the human gut, causing anemia and other symptoms. Their presence would be a direct consequence of the fish-based diet observed in the coprolites.
Besides parasites, pollen grains trapped within the feces are environmental proxies. Palynology, the study of pollen, helps reconstruct the local flora from 4,000 years ago. The types of pollen identified can distinguish between plants that were eaten and those that were simply growing nearby, helping to build a more complete record of the Bronze Age landscape.
The scientific techniques used for this type of analysis are multifaceted. They include visual microscopy to identify undigested food fragments, seeds, and parasite eggs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can reveal even smaller structures, while chemical analyses can identify biomarkers like lipids and proteins, offering further clues about the foods consumed. Together, these methods allow archaeologists to reconstruct the life of the Oxus people with remarkable detail from the most humble of materials.