Cannibal Britons?

[auld argonian]

The coprolithic thing kind of flies in the face of what I've read about. I've seen references to the regret that archaeologists and anthropologists have that human feces doesn't survive in any appreciable form that allows them to analyze the contents for clues to the dietary habits of past peoples.

Best

AA

[Drac]

The archaeological term for petrified feces is coprolith, and they are in fact very important findings in animal archaeology, and I can only presume human archaeology as well, as a way of determining dietary habits of populations.

Not sure I would want a set of coprolith cufflinks, though.

The coprolithic thing kind of flies in the face of what I've read about. I've seen references to the regret that archaeologists and anthropologists have that human feces doesn't survive in any appreciable form that allows them to analyze the contents for clues to the dietary habits of past peoples.

Best

AA

Got to wonder what makes someone wake up one day and say "I want to dedicate my life to the study of poo!!"

Jim

[auld argonian]

Got to wonder what makes someone wake up one day and say "I want to dedicate my life to the study of poo!!"

Jim

You have to have your $#!+ together to pursue that discipline!

Best

AA

[jason10mm]

I've basically given up on expecting quality journalism outside of dedicated peer reviewed journals, niche publications, and enthusiast websites such as this one.

I bet the "they are cannibals" statement came about because the writer saw a list of possible explanations for the remains in list form:

1. ritualistic burial
2. combat
3. animal activity
4. post-mortem desecration
5. Merlin did it
6. Odin did it
7. Gaia earth mother did it
8. ?cannibals?

and hey, a perfectly researched sensationalistic story is born

[Lallans]

I once saw a funny interview with a scientist who was questioned crossing the border with fossilized, or at least desert-dried, human faeces.