In 1972, the largest human feces ever recorded was unearthed in York, England. It belonged to a Viking from the ninth century A.D. and has provided experts with more information about the diet and health of the people who lived during that era.
The piece of human waste not only offers precious historical knowledge, but it even has monetary value as well. It is estimated to be worth about $39,000.
The fossilized specimen is referred to as the Lloyds Bank Coprolite, given that it was found during the construction of a branch of Lloyds Bank in York. It is now on display in one of the exhibits at the Jorvik Viking Center.
The site where the human waste was unburied, which is now known as York, England, was a region once ruled by Norse warriors, adding even more historical significance to the discovery.
The ancient excrement is eight inches long and two inches wide. It has been described by researchers as “moist” and “peaty.” Through their studies, they also discovered that the Viking it came from ate mostly meat and bread.
Additionally, he suffered from intestinal parasites. Further examination of the waste revealed a large number of eggs from parasitic worms, suggesting that the man often experienced gastrointestinal discomfort.
According to the Jorvik Viking Center, the parasites live in the large intestines but can travel to other organs.
The average Viking who inhabited the area during that time period may have carried between 600 and 2,500 whipworms.
A complete human stool is a very rare find, and this one was over 1,200 years old. Its preservation was thought to be utterly remarkable.
Andrew Jones, a paleoscatologist who appraised the waste in 1991, said, “This is the most exciting piece of excrement I’ve ever seen. In its own way, it’s as irreplaceable as the Crown Jewels.”
In 2003, visitors at the Jorvik Viking Center accidentally knocked over the box the artifact was contained in and caused it to break apart into three pieces. Fortunately, experts were able to repair it and return it to its previous shape.
Who knew people could get so excited over some human waste?
