In the past decade, experts have conducted parasitological research on archaeological specimens in Korea to collect historical parasite infection data. In these studies, parasitologists successfully described the infection pattern of each parasite species in history. However, in the first half of the 20th century, archaeoparasitological reports have been scant. In 2021, we conducted a parasitological examination of a toilet-like structure that emerged in the early 20th century. This structure was built by stacking 2 wooden barrels; and in the study samples, we found ancient Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides (unfertilized), and Taenia spp. eggs and therefore proposed a higher possibility that the barrels could have been used as a toilet at the time. To understand how the antihelminthic campaign since the 1960s helped reduce parasite infection rates in Korea, more research should focus on early-20th-century toilet ruins.
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Problems in Japanese archaeoparasitology: Analysis of paleo-parasitic eggs from Hachinohe Castle Hisashi Fujita, Masako Funaba, Shiori O. Fujisawa Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2025; 63(3): 278. CrossRef
Our previous research on coprolite specimens from the mummies of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910 CE) has revealed various species of parasite eggs. Herein, we added 2 new helminthic cases of human remains from Joseon-period graves in the Republic of Korea (Korea). The organic materials precipitated on the hip bones of 2 half-mummied cases (Goryeong and Gwangmyeong cases) were collected, rehydrated, and examined by a microscope. In the sample from Goryeong-gun (gun=County), ova of Trichuris trichiura, Clonorchis sinensis, and Metagonimus spp. were detected, and eggs of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides were found from the sample of Gwangmyeong-si (si=City). By adding this outcome to the existing data pool, we confirm our previous estimates of Joseon-period parasite infection rates. The overall rates of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and C. sinensis decreased dramatically from Joseon to the modern period. In Goryeong mummy specimen, we also found Metagonimus spp. eggs that has rarely been detected in archaeological samples so far.
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Updates on parasite infection prevalence in the Joseon period based on parasitological studies of human coprolites isolated from archaeological sites in the cities of Euijeongbu, Gumi, and Wonju Chang Seok Oh, Jong-Yil Chai, Sori Min, Kyong Taek Oh, Jeonghwan Seol, Mi Kyung Song, Dong Hoon Shin, Min Seo Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2023; 61(1): 89. CrossRef
Paleoparasitology research on ancient helminth eggs and larvae in the Republic of Korea Jong-Yil Chai, Min Seo, Dong Hoon Shin Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2023; 61(4): 345. CrossRef
Ancient DNA of Metagonimus yokogawai Recovered from Joseon Period Human Remains Newly Discovered at Goryeong County in South Korea Chang Seok Oh, Jong Ha Hong, Jong Yil Chai, Mi Kyung Song, Ho-Jin Jang, Min Seo, Dong Hoon Shin Acta Parasitologica.2022; 67(1): 539. CrossRef
Genetic Analysis of Ancient Clonorchis sinensis Eggs Attained from Goryeong Mummy of Joseon Dynasty Period Chang Seok Oh, Min Seo, Hye Jin Lee, Myeung Ju Kim, Do-Seon Lim, Dong Hoon Shin Journal of Parasitology.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Current status of Clonorchis sinensis and clonorchiasis in Korea: epidemiological perspectives integrating the data from human and intermediate hosts Won Gi Yoo, Woon-Mok Sohn, Byoung-Kuk Na Parasitology.2022; 149(10): 1296. CrossRef
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