POLLEN, PHYTOLITH, MACROFLORAL, AND PARASITE ANALYSIS OF A PRIVY DEPOSIT AND IDENTIFICATION OF MACROFLORAL REMAINS FROM TRASH DEPOSITS IN A PRIVY/TRASH PIT ON BLOCK 24, LOT 10, SKAGWAY, ALASKA

Summary

A human coprolite from a privy/trash pit on Block 24, Lot 10 in Skagway,

Alaska, was sampled for pollen, phytolith, macrofloral, and parasite remains to

determine types of food eaten, possible parasite infestation, and potential trash

discarded by a catholic priest or priests during the pits use as a privy. Lot

10 was the site of the resident Roman catholic priests rectory from 1903 to

1933. The privy/trash pit is associated with the rectory. Use of the privy is

believed to have occurred from 1903 to sometime between 1908 and 1914. After use of the privy ended, the pit is believed to have been used by Father Philibert J.Turnell, S.J. for trash disposal until the 1920s. Macrofloral remains from the

level of trash fill were identified to determine foods that Father Turnell had

access to and consumed.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

Record Identifiers

PRI Technical Report(s): 93-012

File Information