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Medieval monks were ‘riddled with worms’, study finds
University of Cambridge ^

Posted on 08/26/2022 7:07:33 AM PDT by FarCenter

A new analysis of remains from medieval Cambridge shows that local Augustinian friars were almost twice as likely as the city’s general population to be infected by intestinal parasites.

This is despite most Augustinian monasteries of the period having latrine blocks and hand-washing facilities, unlike the houses of ordinary working people.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Archaeology say the difference in parasitic infection may be down to monks manuring crops in friary gardens with their own faeces, or purchasing fertiliser containing human or pig excrement.

The study, published today in the International Journal of Paleopathology, is the first to compare parasite prevalence in people from the same medieval community who were living different lifestyles, and so might have differed in their infection risk.

(Excerpt) Read more at cam.ac.uk ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ancientautopsies; dietandcuisine; godsgravesglyphs; middleages
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To: FarCenter

Which is why the monks made beer (and other alcoholic beverages)


21 posted on 08/26/2022 7:58:42 AM PDT by kaktuskid
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To: FarCenter

Ecoli from illegals crapping in the fields.


22 posted on 08/26/2022 8:18:51 AM PDT by Revolutionary ("Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!")
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To: FarCenter

Did their ale help or hurt?


23 posted on 08/26/2022 8:40:52 AM PDT by Scrambler Bob (My /s is more true than your /science (or you might mean /seance))
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To: FarCenter

They probably had yellow uni-teeth as well.


24 posted on 08/26/2022 8:54:00 AM PDT by GingisK
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25 posted on 08/26/2022 9:18:45 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: FarCenter
may be down to monks manuring crops... with their own faeces, or... fertiliser containing human or pig excrement.

...or packing poo poo chutes.

26 posted on 08/26/2022 11:41:05 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free... Galatians 5:1 )
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