Archaeoparasitological and palynological analysis of samples from the intestinal contents of a child mummy from the Zeleniy Yar burial ground (12-13th centuries AD)

This article presents an archaeoparasitological analysis of a child mummy from the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground (12-13th centuries AD) located in the northern part of western Siberia. Analysis of samples from the intestinal contents of the child mummy revealed eggs of Opisthorchis felineus, suggesting that people of the region consumed raw or undercooked fish during the Middle Ages. Palynological data suggest that death probably occurred in the winter since this sample was free of ‘environmental-type’ pollen from wind-pollinated plants. The sample was also free of the so-called ‘economic-type’ pollen, suggesting that medicinal plants, namely different teas or herbs, had not been consumed, suggesting that no attempts were made to cure the ill child using these agents.