Preserved Parasite Eggs in Ancient Toilets Trace Past Migrations

Did I get your attention?

Here is the article:
http://www.archaeology.org/news/3103-150320-jerusalem-latrine-parasites

Apparently, the northern European methods of preparing fish (smoking, pickling) weren't enough to kill fish tape worms. (Did I ever mention that the thought of tape worms totally terrifies and grosses me out? When I was little, some of my more sadistic male cousins used to delight in telling me about kids with tapeworms and how big they were, how thy got them out etc. I literally had nightmares. My father had to threaten them with bodily harm to get them to stop telling me the stories. They scarred me for life. )

Finding them in refuse in Jerusalem is proof, according to the scientists, of the presence of Northern European pilgrims to the Holy Land 500 years ago.

Just more proof that a simple lack of hygiene was the cause of so much human misery.

It reminded me of measuring human settlement levels by checking layers enriched in cow dong from lake bottom. In the future will be able to figure out everything about them but the language and personal names.