Enjoy April Fools with Viking Poop

When it comes to archaeological finds, one might expect to uncover ancient tools, pottery, or even tombs. However, in 1972, an excavation in the UK uncovered something quite different: a massive, well-preserved piece of human excrement, typically known as the Lloyds Bank coprolite.

Dubbed the "largest, oldest human fecal sample in existence," this impressive turd measured a whopping 8 inches in length and 2 inches in width. But what makes this fecal matter so significant is that it survived more than a thousand years, perfectly intact on the plot of land it was discovered upon.

After conducting thorough scientific tests on the stool, researchers were able to determine that it belonged to a Viking who had a poor diet, consisting primarily of meat and bread. The sample was described as "moist and peaty," and was covered in hundreds of parasitic eggs, suggesting that the creator of the poo likely had intestinal worms.

The discovery of this ancient poop provides valuable insight into the dietary habits and health of people from the past. As Gill Snape, a student conservator on a placement with the York Archaeological Trust, noted, "Analysis of the stool has indicated that its producer subsisted largely on meat and bread. This guy had very itchy bowels."

While the idea of analyzing human excrement may seem strange to some, it is actually a common practice in archaeology and can provide important information about the people and societies of the past. In fact, the study of fecal matter, known as coprology, has been used to gain insights into everything from diet and health to cultural practices and even environmental conditions.

So, while the discovery of this Viking turd may seem humorous, it actually serves as a valuable historical record, shedding light on the lives and habits of our ancestors. And who knows, maybe one day our own excrement will be studied by future generations, revealing even more about the human experience.