Dietary and Parasitological Aanalysis of Coprolites Recovered from Mummy 5, Ventana Cave, Arizona

Fou r coprolite s were exceveted with Burial S at Ventena Cave . a part ially mummified five-year-old child. Two coprolites were p1Ulular and dark. in cokx and two were fibrous and light in color . The coprolisn are remains of the child 's intestinal contents and were submitted for dietary andparasitological anal ysis. No parasites were found. The fibrous coprolites proved to be remains of highly masticated mesquite pods (Prosopis). The pwaWarcoprolites consist of seeds of SlJlWO cactus (Cantlli~a gigcuu~a). Pollen lBIl)'sis reveals two dietary pol. len types, both derived from cactus. No evidenceof cultivated plants except for a trace amount of com pollen was found. .