Sampling guidelines for paleoparasitological and paleodietary studies

Abstract

Paleoparasitology is a discipline that searches for endo and ectoparasites helping in the identification of disease and migration. The success of these analyses is influenced by the quality of the samples. Thus, this manual aims to guide anthropologists, archeologists, paleontologists and other professionals involved in excavations and / or curators of museum collections to collect samples for studies of parasites and food remains in old materials. This text provides the guidelines to collect sediments from human burials, skeletons, coprolites, fauna, and structures used to dump waste, and how to avoid contamination and to store samples. The close association between sampling procedures and the laboratory study will enhance the quality of information to help in the reconstruction of past living conditions.