POLLEN, PHYTOLITH, AND PARASITE ANALYSIS OF PRIVY DEPOSITS FROM OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

A privy was excavated and sampled for pollen, phytoliths, and parasite eggs. Use of the privy may date between 1865 and 1891-1896. Privy fill from levels 3, 6, and 8 was examined for pollen, phytolith, and parasites to identify elements of the diet and parasites present. Levels 3 and 6 date from the 1870s and 1880s, while level 8 represents the Civil War period. Pollen and phytolith analysis was undertaken to identify foods consumed and/or discarded in the privy. Parasite eggs were identified in the course of pollen analysis to identify parasites present and assess relative levels of parasitic infection during the three time periods represented.本次研究对一处户外厕坑（privy）开展考古发掘并采集样品，针对其中的花粉（pollen）、植硅体（phytoliths）与寄生虫卵（parasite eggs）开展检测分析。该厕坑的使用年代可限定为1865年至1891-1896年之间。研究人员针对考古层位3、6、8的厕坑填土开展花粉、植硅体与寄生虫检测，以明确当时的饮食构成与存在的寄生虫类群。层位3与层位6的年代分别为19世纪70年代与80年代，层位8则对应内战时期。本次花粉与植硅体分析旨在识别厕坑内被食用或丢弃的食物遗存。研究人员在花粉分析流程中同步检出寄生虫卵，借此明确各时期存在的寄生虫类群，并评估三个对应时段内寄生虫感染的相对程度。