Excrements of Omnivores and Carnivores

The micromorphological analysis of faecal remains started with the investigation of hyena excrements in connection with cave-sediment studies. In an archaeological context, coprolites of domestic pigs are reported rarely - mostly with uncertain attribution. This apparent lack of pig excrements in archaeological sediments is probably a consequence of the animals' grubbing activities in themselves, of pig husbandry practices and of the remarkable variability of omnivore excrements. Carnivore excrements are characterized by a highly phosphatic, cemented, optically isotropic, strongly autofluorescent groundmass with an undifferentiated b-fabric. Excrements of Canis familiaris are reported regularly in various archaeological contexts. Because of great diversity of human diets, a general description of human excrements proves difficult, especially because well preserved excrement remains seem rare in archaeological contexts. More experimental and interdisciplinary studies will help to increase knowledge about excrements and postdepositional processes in the archaeological record.