Survival properties of organic residues through the human digestive tract

In New Zealand the study of coprolites is seldom undertaken. It was felt that a good deal of basic research was necessary before detailed analyses of prehistoric specimens could be initiated. A short programme of practical research was designed to test the survival properties of a select few common foodstuffs relevant to the study of prehistoric Maori diet. Food items were consumed with a faecal marker, and relevant stools collected and treated with trisodium phosphate solution (0·4% w/v). Flotation was used to isolate the pertinent specimens which were identified microscopically. The results of this research are limited, but they demonstrate the potential value of further work in this field.