Buzz
Known as coprolites, fossilized feces are highly prized. They command impressive prices at auctions and provide researchers with a distinctive source of data. The contents often uncover surprising details about the diets of ancient humans, revealing everything from whole snakes to evidence of cannibalism—far removed from modern meals like hamburgers.
Animal coprolites are equally significant in scientific research. Their discovery locations and ages have shed light on the dietary habits of extinct creatures, their survival strategies, and even insights into the era when dinosaurs first roamed the Earth.
10. Shark Worms
While most people simply hope to avoid tapeworms, researchers are fascinated by the idea of discovering these parasites in ancient feces. Their goal? To uncover the origins of these pests.
Tapeworm eggs are expelled through a host's feces, making fossilized dung the ideal place to locate them. However, tapeworm fossils from the dinosaur era and earlier are incredibly rare, leading scientists to believe these parasites became widespread much later in history.
In 2013, this perspective shifted due to a thin section of shark excrement. Around 500 coprolites were discovered in Brazil, including a spiral-shaped specimen from a shark dating back approximately 270 million years.
In the lab, the fossilized dung was sliced, revealing 93 tapeworm eggs in one segment. While the shark species remained unidentified, the microscopic eggs confirmed the presence of tapeworms. Their age proved that these parasites have troubled invertebrates for millions of years longer than previously thought.
9. Filial Cannibalism
This term refers to animals eating their own young. A rare fossilized example was discovered in 2016 when researchers collected samples along the coast of New Brunswick in Canada.
One of the samples was a coprolite. Its spiral shape indicated it came from a shark that lived approximately 300 million years ago. Inside the fossil was a tooth, which analysis revealed to be a juvenile tooth from the same Orthacanthus species.
While previous fossils have shown that Orthacanthus preyed on amphibians and other sharks, this was the first evidence of filial cannibalism in the genus. This behavior is rarer than one might assume, as consuming offspring could threaten a species' survival. However, the likely cause was the challenging conditions of the time.
During this period, Orthacanthus sharks migrated inland through freshwater systems. While vegetation was abundant, other animals were scarce. Faced with a lack of food, these sharks may have resorted to eating their young to survive.
8. The Longest Fossilized Feces
Visitors to a Beverly Hills gallery in 2014 were likely surprised to encounter poop on display. The I.M. Chait Gallery showcased an extraordinary specimen, believed by many to be the longest coprolite ever discovered, measuring an impressive 102 centimeters (40 inches) in length.
This fossilized feces was excreted by an unidentified creature approximately 33 million years ago. Discovered on private property in Toledo, Washington, in 2012, it was later offered for sale through the gallery’s auction house, with an estimated value ranging between $8,000 and $10,000.
Mounted on black marble, the remarkable piece was described glowingly by the auctioneer: “It features a beautifully consistent pale brown-yellow hue and an intricately textured, botryoidal surface that spans its entire impressive length.”
The term 'botryoidal' elegantly describes a lumpy surface. The hefty price tag might seem surprising, but it’s justified—coprolites are highly sought after, with smaller specimens fetching up to $6,000.
7. The Hyena Latrines
In 2017, archaeologists struck gold in Spain when they discovered ancient hyena latrines. Such sites, specifically designated for repeated use, are incredibly rare. During their excavation, the team uncovered two of these prehistoric restrooms.
These rare finds were packed with bones, a staple of the hyena diet. For researchers studying ancient ecosystems, hyena droppings are a treasure trove of information. The coprolites, unearthed at Gran Dolina and la Mina, date back between 800,000 and one million years.
The findings indicated that the area experienced wet weather during that period. If the climate had been warm and dry, the feces would have appeared cracked and dehydrated. The varying sizes of the droppings also suggested that the latrine was shared by a community of hyenas of different ages and sizes, who used these spots to maintain cleanliness in their territory.
Over time, the tiny bone fragments can also shed light on the prey species that existed then, while the plant material within the coprolites can reveal their preferred habitats. The presence of pine pollen in the fossilized dung hinted that some prey animals inhabited pine forests.
6. The Guinness Record Collection
Guinness World Records is known for recognizing unusual accomplishments. In 2016, another eyebrow-raising record was added when George Frandsen, an American, was acknowledged for owning the largest collection of fossilized feces worldwide, boasting 1,277 prehistoric coprolites.
Frandsen's unique interest sparked during his college years while he delved into paleontology. For him, along with numerous other researchers, fossilized excrement offers unparalleled insights into the lifestyles of ancient beings. It provides clues about their health, dietary preferences, and even accidental ingestion of their own teeth.
The assortment features coprolites gathered from eight different nations and 15 U.S. states. Each piece was meticulously cataloged at the South Florida Museum, aiding Frandsen in his pursuit of a Guinness World Record.
Out of the numerous samples, his top pick is a specimen he affectionately calls 'Precious,' tipping the scales at 1.92 kilograms (4.23 lb). This remarkable piece was deposited by a crocodile-like animal approximately 20 million years ago. Precious stands out as the most prized item in the collection due to its pristine condition, remaining unaltered and retaining its original shape since the day it was excreted.
5. The Chanares Dumping Ground
Located in Argentina, the Chanares Formation is a site scientists humorously refer to as the 'world’s oldest public toilet.' In 2013, researchers with a passion for ancient excrement discovered their dream location. This 240-million-year-old site contained seven enormous piles of fossilized dung.
The coprolites, numbering in the thousands, varied widely in shape and size. Some were shaped like sausages, while others formed perfect ovals. The largest measured 40 centimeters (15.7 inches) across and weighed several pounds.
Fossils at the site revealed the creators of these coprolites to be fascinating animals. The Dinodontosaurus, resembling giant rhinos, were actually reptiles.
This communal dumping ground not only indicated that some reptiles lived in herds and shared latrines but also held significance for another reason. Despite its name, Dinodontosaurus was not a dinosaur genus.
However, they coexisted with the ancestors of dinosaurs. As a result, the coprolites of Dinodontosaurus offer valuable insights into the environment and food chains, providing a glimpse into the early days of dinosaurs.
4. Largest Fossilized Human Excrement
Paleoscatologists, archaeologists who focus on ancient feces, include the individual who discovered the largest known fossilized human stool. Measuring 17.8 centimeters (7 inches) in length, this specimen was unearthed not in a cave but at the York Archaeological Trust.
A dedicated scatologist at the Trust stumbled upon this remarkable find while sifting through the archives. Dubbed the 'Lloyds Bank turd,' it is believed to have come from a Viking. Analysis of its contents revealed the individual suffered from a significant medical issue.
The Viking was plagued by Ascaris lumbricoides, a parasitic worm common at the time. These parasites could burrow through tissue and, as historical accounts note, emerge from various body openings, including the eyes. Those curious to see this extraordinary relic can visit the Jorvik Viking Centre in York.
3. A Whole Viper
The Conejo Shelter in Texas served as an ancient toilet. During a recent excavation, archaeologists aimed to learn more about its past users. One coprolite revealed that someone consumed succulents around 1,500 years ago. But the discovery took a bizarre turn when evidence showed the same individual had also eaten a small rodent raw and with its skin intact.
While this practice was typical for the era and area, what researchers uncovered next in the same sample left them stunned. Alongside snake bones and scales, they found a chilling detail—a long fang embedded in the coprolite.
The abundance of scales indicated the snake had been devoured whole and uncooked. Eating a non-venomous snake might seem plausible, but the fang confirmed the reptile was poisonous. It was identified as either a copperhead or a Western diamondback rattlesnake.
The reasons behind consuming a venomous snake, including its fangs, remain unclear. Possible explanations include ritualistic practices, extreme hunger, or even a reckless challenge.
2. Human Bones
The Santa Maria Caves in Spain contain animal remains from the Mesolithic era, dating back 10,200 to 8,000 years. During a recent examination of the skeletons, researchers made a grim discovery: a human bone with unusual markings. The elbow bore cuts indicative of cannibalism.
Further investigation uncovered additional human remains—two adults and a baby. However, only 30 fragments were found, with just one bone representing the infant (a shoulder blade without markings). While Mesolithic cannibalism is documented elsewhere, this marks the first evidence of such practices in the western European Mediterranean region.
All evidence pointed to this being the first documented instance. Most notably, some bones were discovered within human coprolites. The remains showed human bite marks and tool scratches, likely used to strip the last bits of flesh. Around 19 fragments were charred, indicating that Mesolithic hunter-gatherers preferred their meals thoroughly cooked.
1. The Unpassed Specimen
In 1965, paleontologists uncovered an ancient reptile in Germany. The creature was identified as Rhamphorhynchus, a pterosaur that flew across the skies between 161 and 146 million years ago.
The fossil was transported to a Canadian museum, where its true significance went unnoticed initially. Among fossils, coprolites are exceptionally rare. Discovering fossilized excrement inside an ancient animal is an extraordinary event, as soft tissues like stomachs and intestines rarely fossilize due to rapid decomposition.
In 2015, researchers revisited the fossil for a fresh analysis. They noted its exceptional preservation, with soft tissues such as wing membranes still visible. The bones in its stomach region hinted that its final meal might have been a fish.
Most intriguing was a peculiar mass near its rear. The lump contained hook-shaped fragments, likely remnants of a previous seafood feast. If confirmed as a coprolite, its significance would be twofold: not only was it found inside the creature that expelled it, but it would also mark the first recorded pterosaur coprolite in history.
