Date of Award
8-1994
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Anthropology
First Advisor
Dr. Robert I. Sundick
Second Advisor
Dr. Tal Simmons
Third Advisor
Dr. Kenneth B. Tankersley
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Three desiccated human feces recovered from Salts Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, were analyzed for evidence of parasitic infection, specifically Giardia Lamblia. Positive detection of Giardia cysts was made using a direct immunofluorescent assay (IFA) technique. Scanning electron microscopy revealed what appear to be Giardia lamblia trophozoites. One additional fecal sample, analyzed for its dietary content, was composed primarily of Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and Chenopodium berlandieri (goosefoot). Over one hundred seeds of Cucurbita pepo (squash) were also contained within this specimen. This sample has been radiocarbon dated to 2420±90 B.P., falling into the cluster of previous dates from Salts Cave.
Recommended Citation
Ruppert, Lisa Karen, "Evidence for the Endoparasite Giardia Lamblia in Human Paleofeces from Salts Cave. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky" (1994). Masters Theses. 4431.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4431