Archaeoparasitological Analysis of Samples from the Cultural Layer of Nadym Gorodok dated Back to the 14th-Late 18th Centuries

Article information

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Archaeoparasitology is an interdisciplinary research field between parasitology, archaeology and other disciplines such as physical anthropology and ethnography etc. [1]. Coprolites, ancient or medieval mummies’ intestinal contents, and soil sediment specimens precipitated on the sacrum are the objects commonly used for archaeoparasitological research [2,3]. Among these, archaeologically obtained soil sediments have been repeatedly used for exploring the sanitary conditions of different settlements, thus revealing the risk factors of parasitic infections among peoples in history [4–9].

Recently, the ancient population of Western Siberia has been studied by archaeoparasitological methods as well [10]. The specimens of various human populations, those living in modern as well as historical societies, have been examined by archaeoparasitologists thus far [11–13]. Especially, parasitological studies on the arctic or subarctic areas of Western Siberia in history have been performed using soil sediment specimens taken from the buried people’s sacrum surface, intestinal contents of mummies or coprolites of animals [11,12,14,15].

In spite of the previous achievements, we note that the cultural layer sediment specimens obtained by the excavations of Siberian indigenous people’s settlement ruins have not been examined and reported sufficiently so far. This report is thus aimed to conjecture the parasite infection pattern, the changes in dietary habit, and the details about contacts and migrations of West Siberian people, based on archaeoparasitological study on the soil specimens of various historical periods, found in the settlement ruins in Nadym Gorodok, Russia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Archaeological context

Nadym Gorodok is located in the forest-tundra transition zone of West Siberia, around the Nadym River estuary (66° 03′, 72° 00′). This archaeological site is a permafrost layer that does not thaw even during summer, ensuring good preservation status of parasitological specimens in the archaeological sites [16]. It was a locality that had been inhabited by the Siberian indigenous population, thus having functioned as a settlement of the ancestors of the Nenets and Northern Khanty from the 13 to 18th century [16] (Fig. 1). It is confirmed that during the final period of its functioning as settlement, i.e. from the late 16th to the first third of the 18th centuries, Nadym Gorodok was a territorial military-political center consisted of several communities in Yamal Peninsula and Ob Bay southern coast in the lower reaches of Ob and Nadym Rivers. It was also a winter residence for the elite leaders of Bolshaia Karacheia, the tribal association of the Nenets.

Fig. 1

Location of the archaeological site Nadym gorodok. Orange color shows the distribution area of Opisthorchis felineus and Gray color indicates the absence of Opisthorchis felineus.

Archaeologically speaking, the planning pattern of the defense-residential complex (DRC) of Nadym Gorodok was comprised of 6 symmetric quarters with the buildings of different architectural traditions, reflecting the heterogeneous ethnic origin of the population) [16]. By the reconstruction of DRC in the mid-15th to mid-16th century Nadym Gorodok, the archaeologists found rectangular-shaped construction, formed by a loose-fill outside wall along the perimeter in which 2 entrances fortified by log towers could be located [16]. The general scheme of Nadym Gorodok is analogous to the structure of the late 16–18th century Russian stockade towns in Northwestern Siberia.

The Nenets and Northern Khanty in Nadym Gorodok [16] seem to have done fishing, hunting and dog breeding, which has been already confirmed by previous archaeological anthropological reports [17]. Meanwhile, no signs of reindeer breeding have been found at the place [18]. The cultural heritage concerning the materials found at the site is not simple, but is heterogeneous. Although they represent Slavic-Russian origin, some objects also show the tradition of the ancient indigenous population in the area [16].

Sample collection

Stationary excavations at Nadym Gorodok were carried out in 1998 to 2016. Samples were collected from chronologically and stratographically different layers in various areas of the settlement complex, covering the entire period of Nadym Gorodok’s existence. The dating of geological strata was estimated by dendrochronological as well as archaeological method. During excavations in 2001, 2003–2005, 2007, and 2016, 34 soil samples (up to 100 g each) were collected at Nadym Gorodok. The samples were cautiously collected to prevent outside contamination using the tools and containers separately prepared for each sample. The sample collection was conducted on various sites of Nadym Gorodok such as DRC and economic, multi-functional complex (EMC) present outside of DRC (Figs. 2, 3). We also collected soil samples outside the archaeological sites as a reference (negative control) sample. The soil samples were dried, packed in sealed plastic bags, and labeled it. The samples were finally transported to Tyumen Scientific Center for further work.

Fig. 2

A fragment of the cultural layers of the archaeological site of Nadym. (A) Vertical section. The photo shows chronologically different cultural layers. (B) Horizontal section. The cleared cultural layer from which samples were taken.

Fig. 3

The defense and residential complex (A,B) and economical, multifunctional complex (C,D).

The soil samples (10 to 30 g) were placed in Bunsen beakers in a laboratory setting, to which a 0.5% solution of trisodium phosphate (Na₃PO₄) was added [19]. The supernatant was elutriated 3 times over a week, followed by sifting the residue through 200 μm sieve. Sample separation was performed in centrifugal tubes. The residue was gathered using a multiple centrifuge process for 7 min at 1,500 rpm. After that, we added glycerin until it covered the samples. We stirred the residue and then warmed up the tubes in a water-bath at 80°C for 10 min. The hot tubes were centrifuged again for 7 min at 1,500 rpm. After glycerin and the remaining water were elutriated, microslides were examined for each sample using AxioLabA1 (Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany). For measurement, Axio Vision 4.6 (Zeiss) were used. For statistical analysis, χ² test with Yates correction was done. Excel software (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington) was used for statistical calculations.

RESULTS

We did not find any parasite eggs in reference, negative control sample, ruling out the possible contamination of parasite eggs from the outside. In the soil samples taken from Nadym Gorodok’s cultural layer, 3 different species of helminth eggs were discovered (Fig. 4). First, some eggs are light brown, oval-shaped, with a “shell” (Fig. 2). There is a small knob opposite the cap on the other side of an egg. The average egg diameter is 66.1–37.8 μm×82.1–62.4 μm. Taking these findings into account, the eggs look belong to the genus Diphyllobothrium sp. [20]. Eggs of this genus were found in every chronological layer (23 of 34 samples, 67.6%) (Table 1).

Fig. 4

Egg suggestive of Diphyllobothrium sp. eggs (A, D), Alaria alata eggs (B, E) and Opisthorchis felineus eggs (C, F). Found in soil samples from archaeological site Nadym gorodok.

Table 1

Ancient parasite species observed in the specimen from the Cultural Layer of Nadym Gorodok site

The second type is the oval-shaped eggs with a light yellow shell. No operculum was found in any of them. A feebly marked fold was observed on some eggs in which the operculum is to be attached. There is a shell pin on the opposite side of an egg. The egg size ranges from 34.25 to 32.39 μm in length and 24.5 to 18.01 μm in width. By the morphology of the eggs, we assumed that they are Opisthorchis felineus trematode [20]. The eggs of this helminth were found mostly in of the 14 to 15th or the 17th to 18th century (4 of 34 samples, 11.8%) (Table 1).

The third one is the oval-shaped egg with a light brown shell. Neither operculum nor shell pin was found in any egg of this type. The egg size ranges from 101.3 to 120.4 μm in length and from 58.6 to 65.8 μm in width. Taken together, we concluded that they belong to the genus Alaria alata trematode [21]. Parasites of this genus were found in 2 samples (5.9%) of the 14 to 15th century (Table 1).

Diphyllobothrium sp. and Opisthorchis felineus eggs were found in the DRC samples (11 of 18, 61%). In case of EMC, Diphyllobothrium sp., Opisthorchis felineus trematode, and Alaria alata trematode eggs were found in 12 of 16 samples (75%). No statistically significant differences were found in the positive ratio of parasite eggs (χ² Yates=0.138) between the samples of DRC and EMC sites.

DISCUSSION

In previous studies, Diphyllobothrium sp. and Opisthorchis felineus eggs were found in intestinal contents of mummies, animal coprolites, and soil samples precipitated upon the sacrum found in the graves [11–13]. Alaria alata eggs were reported from the study on the 17–18th century dog coprolites [15]. Diphyllobothrium sp. eggs were also found in the samples of the late medieval Russian town site found in Mangazeya [17].

As demonstrated by the current archaeoparasitological research (Table 1), a variety of parasites was found in the soil samples taken from Nadym Gorodok’s cultural layer. The pattern of the discovered species is somewhat similar to the above datasets of ancient parasite eggs previously discovered at the West Siberian archaeological sites.

In this study, we must consider whether the parasite eggs we found were authentic ancient parasite eggs of human beings. Actually, the indigenous population of Western Siberia did not use toilets, as indicated by archeological and ethnographic data [16,17]. Dogs could have lived inside DRC but also wandered in EMC. Therefore, human and dog coprolites could have been distributed at either DRC or EMC. Meanwhile, considering that wild animals or birds could not have accessed into DRC buildings [16], the coprolites of wild animals or birds should have been spread only in EMC, but not in DRC. Therefore, we could narrow down the sources of parasite eggs found at DRC to those of humans or domesticated dogs. In case of EMC, however, the eggs of Diphyllobothrium sp., Opisthorchis felineus and Alaria alata could have been originated from human, domesticated dogs, wild animals (e.g., arctic fox etc.) or birds [16].

We also note that the difference of finding pattern was not observed in Diphyllobothrium sp. throughout the 14 to 18th century specimens. This means that for at least 400 years, raw or insufficiently cooked fishes were prevailed in the diets of Nadym Gorodok natives and their dogs.

Also interesting is about the finding pattern of Opisthorchis eggs. Opisthorchis felineus eggs found in Nadym Gorodok samples also have related with raw fish consumption. As is well known, the hyperendemic area of opisthorchiasis in Western Siberia is mostly confined to the territory around the Ob-Irtysh basin [22]. Meanwhile, the Nadym Gorodok is not the infection foci of opisthorchiasis because it lacks the environmental conditions adequate for Bithynia tentaculata, the intermediate hosts of Opisthorchis felineus [22] (Fig. 1). Therefore, people and dogs could not have suffered from opisthorchiasis in the territory of Nadym Gorodok. Therefore, at some time in history, the people of Nadym Gorodok might have moved from the Ob-Irtysh basin, the most likely candidate site of the infection.

In this regard, it is important that Opisthorchis felineus eggs were only found in the 14 to 15th or 17 to 18th century Nadym Gorodok samples. In brief, during these periods, Nadym Gorodok people might have migrated from the Ob-Irtysh basin. In brief, Opisthorchis felineus eggs found in the 14–15th century samples might indicate the initial stage of Nadym Gorodok settlement by immigrants from the Ob-Irtysh basin, which was supported by archaeological evidence as well [18]. Then, Opisthorchis eggs found in the 17 to 18th century samples are indicative of a new stage of colonization in the Ob North, characterized by the construction of Russian towns by the Moscow Kingdom [16,18]. According to historical and archaeological evidences, Nadym Gorodok’s residents took part in military operations across the Ob River area [16,18,23]. Thus, we speculate that the opisthorchiasis in Nadym Gorodok samples represents intense economic and military interactions between the residents of Nadym Gorodok and the Ob-Irtysh basin.

There have been no previous archaeoparasitological researches on the soil samples of the medieval settlements in arctic or subarctic Western Siberia where the indigenous population lived for centuries. Our study evidently demonstrates the presence of ancient eggs of Opisthorchis felineus, Alaria alata, and Diphyllobothrium sp. in Nadym Gorodok settlement samples, getting the detailed aspects of native West Siberian people’s parasitism pattern. Based on the current results, we presume that raw or undercooked fish might have been commonly ingested by Nadym Gorodok inhabitants. It also demonstrates possible economic and military interactions between the native people and society in Western Siberia. Our study promises prospect that future archaeoparastiological studies northwestern Siberia can provide invaluable information to understand the medieval life of the native peoples of the region in a much detail.

Article information Continued