Detection Trend of Helminth Eggs in the Strata Soil Samples from Ancient Historic Places of Korea

Abstract

For several years, we have conducted a series of studies on the patterns of ancient parasitism prevailing in the soil of rural and urban areas of past Kingdom of Korea. Actually, during our survey of paleoparasitology in archaeological sites of Korean peninsula, numerous ancient parasite eggs were discovered in the samples from the city districts of Hansung (Joseon) and Buyeo (Baikje), the palace moat at Gyeongju (Silla), shell-midden site at Bonghwang-dong (Silla to Joseon), and the reservoir found in Hwawangsansung fortress (Silla). By the paleoparasitological studies, with respect to parasitism in the high-density populations of ancient towns and cities, we have managed to catch glimpses of the patterns prevalent therein: a serious parasitic contamination of the soil in ancient urban areas, but not in rural areas of the past. Our historical research also proposed the plausible mechanism of parasite infection very serious indeed among urban populations in Korean history. Although city dwelling doubtless has accrued significant benefits for people and populations with agriculture, it can be equally supposed that living in such highly populated areas might have facilitated the spread of parasite infection.

Keywords: Korea; Paleoparasitology; parasite egg; strata soil sample; urban.

Fig. 1

(A) Paleoparasitological sampling at archaeological site (Yukjo Street, Old Seoul City). The soil sediments from each geological layer represent the soil contamination pattern at specific time period. (B) to (D) Ancient parasite eggs found in the soil strata samples of Yukjo Street. (B) Trichuris trichiura, (C) Ascaris lumbricoides, (D) Clonorchis sinensis. Scale bars=20 μm. (E) In historical records of Joseon period, flooding was very common in the Old Seoul City during rainy season. Red line, the watercourse of the stream running through Old Seoul City. Yellow dots represent the places for which we could identify historical evidences for flooding at rainy season. Authors discovered ancient parasite eggs in the main street of Old Seoul City (green dots), one of the busiest areas during Joseon period. The map is Suseonjeondo, the map of the Joseon capital (1846–1849 CE) (F) The same place of green dots today. The region was and still is one of the busiest streets in Korean peninsula.

Fig. 2

(A) The map of Buyeo city, the capital of ancient Baekje kingdom (shaded area). Archaeologists assume the ancient watercourses of the streams (indicated by black arrows) running through the Baekje capital. Red dots represent the archaeological sites we found ancient parasite eggs in the geological strata soils. Blue dots indicate the reservoirs arranged for controlling the flooding by Baekje people. Outside of the capital area, we could not find any of ancient parasite eggs in the ancient Baekje territory. (B) Our sampling in Buyeo city. (C) Mountaintop fortress of Silla Dynasty (57 BCE to 935 CE). Ancient parasites were discovered in the ancient moat ruins (M). (D) to (F) Ancient parasite eggs discovered from Hwawangsansung reservoir ruins. (D) Taenia spp., (E) Ascaris lumbricoides, (F) Trichuris trichiura. Bars=20 μm.