Dysentery found in Old Testament latrine, 7th Century BCE

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In summary, a recent study of ancient latrines in Jerusalem has found evidence of a common cause of diarrhea, the Giardia duodenalis parasite. These latrines were believed to belong to upper class elites based on their surrounding structures. Previous research has also shown the presence of other intestinal parasites in these latrines. The study was conducted by a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, Tel Aviv University, and the Israel Antiquities Authority, using techniques such as ELISA to identify the parasite antigens. However, it should be noted that these toilets did not come with heated seats.
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pinball1970
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A new analysis of ancient feces taken from two Jerusalem latrines dating back to the biblical Kingdom of Judah has uncovered traces of a single-celled microorganism Giardia duodenalis—a common cause of debilitating diarrhea in humans.
General description and link.

https://phys.org/news/2023-05-early-toilets-reveal-dysentery-testament.html

"A new analysis of ancient feces taken from two Jerusalem latrines dating back to the biblical Kingdom of Judah has uncovered traces of a single-celled microorganism Giardia duodenalis—a common cause of debilitating diarrhea in humans."

The latrine would have been upper class elite based on the archaeology of the structures around it.

The article goes on to say,

"Previous research has dated traces of the Entamoeba parasite, which also causes dysentery, as far back as Neolithic Greece over 4,000 years ago. Previous work has also shown that users of ancient Judean toilets were infected by other intestinal parasites including whipworm, tapeworm and pinworm.

This research was undertaken through a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, Tel Aviv University, and the Israel Antiquities Authority."

The paper here.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/jour...-century-bce/FD98E6D61F8D264616547EA4EBED69E4

ELISA was the technique used to identify the parasite antigens."microscopy with immunofluorescent monoclonal antibodies (Faulkner et al., Reference Faulkner, Patton and Johnson1989; Le Bailly et al., Reference Le Bailly, Gonçalves, Harter-Lailheugue, Prodéo, Araujo and Bouchet2008) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) that use antibodies to detect antigens uniquely made by these protozoan organisms (Gonçalves et al., Reference Gonçalves, Araújo, Duarte, Pereira da Silva, Reinhard, Bouchet and Ferreira2002, Reference Gonçalves, Da Silva, de Andrade, Reinhard, da Rocha, Le Bailly, Bouchet, Ferreira and Araújo2004; Le Bailly and Bouchet, Reference Le Bailly and Bouchet2006) have been found to be a successful way to detect these protozoa"
 
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  • #3
Greg Bernhardt said:
Do they come with heated seats? :-p
Only by the person who was there before you.
 
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BillTre said:
Only by the person who was there before you.
Not at all keen on that even if it is a normal seat.
 

FAQ: Dysentery found in Old Testament latrine, 7th Century BCE

What is dysentery and how was it identified in the Old Testament latrine?

Dysentery is an infection of the intestines that causes severe diarrhea with blood. In the context of the Old Testament latrine, dysentery was identified through the analysis of ancient fecal matter, where researchers found evidence of parasites and pathogens consistent with dysentery.

What methods were used to analyze the ancient latrine remains?

Researchers used a combination of paleoparasitological techniques, including microscopy to identify parasite eggs, and molecular analysis to detect DNA of specific pathogens. These methods allowed them to confirm the presence of dysentery-causing organisms in the ancient fecal samples.

What significance does this discovery hold for our understanding of ancient health and sanitation?

This discovery provides direct evidence of the health challenges faced by ancient populations, including the prevalence of infectious diseases. It also sheds light on the sanitary conditions of the time, indicating that intestinal infections were a common problem, likely due to inadequate hygiene and contaminated water sources.

How does this discovery relate to the historical context of the 7th Century BCE?

The 7th Century BCE was a period marked by various civilizations and empires in the Near East. The discovery of dysentery in an Old Testament latrine provides insights into the daily lives and health issues of people living during this time, offering a tangible connection to the historical and biblical narratives of the era.

What are the broader implications of finding dysentery in ancient latrines for modern science?

Finding dysentery in ancient latrines helps modern scientists understand the evolution and historical spread of infectious diseases. It also highlights the importance of studying ancient pathogens to better understand how diseases have impacted human societies over millennia, which can inform current public health strategies and epidemiology.

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