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Oxford University research shows ancient humans were riddled with WORMS

Picture: Pexels
Picture: Pexels

A study of skeletons reveals that people living in Britain during Roman and late medieval times were riddled with WORMS.

Scientists say that worm eggs found in the ground at burial sites show parasites plagued the UK until sanitary changes were brought in by the Victorians,.

Intestinal worms, also known as helminths, have been a common problem for people living in Britain throughout history, from the Bronze to the Industrial Age.

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But which periods in history suffered the worst of the worms has remained a mystery until now.

Understanding how parasite worms have evolved over time could help develop solutions in parts of the world where they continue to wreak havoc.

Study co-author Dr Patrik Flammer, of Oxford University, said: "Defining the patterns of infection with intestinal worms can help us to understand the health, diet and habits of past populations.

"More than that, defining the factors that led to changes in infection levels without modern drugs can provide support for approaches to control these infections in modern populations."

Worm eggs in the soil from the pelvises of skeletons were analysed to determine the size and scale of parasitic infections throughout history.

People can become infected with parasites like roundworms and whipworms through contamination by faecal matter.

Other types of parasite like tapeworms are usually picked up from eating raw or undercooked meat or fish.

A total of 464 human burials were examined from 17 sites, dating from the Bronze Age to the Industrial Revolution.

Overall, the remains covered five time periods, starting with the prehistoric period and Roman Britain between the first century BC and fifth AD.

They also covered the Anglo Saxon or early medieval era from the fifth to the 11th century, followed by the high or late medieval period up until the 16th century, and finally the industrial era.

People living during the Roman and Late Medieval period experienced had the highest rates of worm infections, the researchers found.

Rates appear to have fluctuated during the industrial period as the research found little evidence of infection at some sites and plenty at others.

Local changes in sanitation and hygiene before the Victorian 'Sanitary Revolution' could explain these differences.

Dr Flammer said: "The reductions in helminth infections in Europe occurred prior to the development of modern anthelminthic drugs and identifying factors that influenced helminth epidemiology in historic populations may provide information relevant to modern control regimens."

While parasite worms are no longer widespread in Europe, they are a big problem in other parts of the world, particularly in some tropical and sub-tropical regions.

Co-author graduate student Hannah Ryan said: "In modern Europe these infections are very rare and mostly found in those travelling from endemic areas but this wasn’t always the case."

The researchers are also hoping to use their parasite approach to study other infections throughout history.

Ms Ryan added: "Parasites provide valuable archaeological insights into historical health, sanitation, hygiene, dietary and culinary practices, as well as other factors."

The findings were published in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

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