Steroid Biomarkers Revisited - Improved Source Identification of Faecal Remains in Archaeological Soil Material.

ABSTRACT: Steroids are used as faecal markers in environmental and in archaeological studies, because they provide insights into ancient agricultural practices and the former presence of animals. Up to now, steroid analyses could only identify and distinguish between herbivore, pig, and human faecal matter and their residues in soils and sediments. We hypothesized that a finer differentiation between faeces of different livestock animals could be achieved when the analyses of several steroids is combined (Δ5-sterols, 5α-stanols, 5β-stanols, epi-5β-stanols, stanones, and bile acids). We therefore reviewed the existing literature on various faecal steroids from livestock and humans and analysed faeces from old livestock breed (cattle, horse, donkey, sheep, goat, goose, and pig) and humans. Additionall

SUBMITTER: Prost K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5217961 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature