Abstract
Presented here are the results of archaeoparasitological analysis of habitation layers at Shag River Mouth, Otago coast. Two types of helminth eggs were identified: The first type is Toxocara canis, associated with the introduced kuri dog (Canis familiaris), which could have adversely affected local people and their dogs. The other type very closely resembles that of Stringopotaenia psittacea, associated with the critically endangered endemic kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) parrot. The results represent the first South Island archaeo parasitological identifications. There was no starch or associated material in the samples, such as introduced Polynesian crops and indigenous starchy Maori food plants. This lack is consistent with the interpretation of the site as that of a transient village focused on big game hunting.
Les resultats de l'analyse archeoparasitologique des couches d'habitation a l'embouchure de la riviere Shag, sur la cote d'Otago, sont presentes ici. Deux types d'oe ufs d'helminthes ont ete identifies : le premier type est Toxocara canis, associe au chien kuri introduit (Canis familiaris), qui aurait pu nuire a la population locale et a ses chiens. L'autre type ressemble tres etroitement a celui de Stringopotaenia psittacea, associe au perroquet endemique kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), en danger critique d'extinction. Les resultats representent les premieres identifications archeoparasitologiques de l'ile du Sud. Il n'y avait pas d'amidon ou de matiere associee dans les echantillons, tels que des cultures polynesiennes introduites et des plantes alimentaires feculentes indigenes maories. Ce manque est coherent avec l'interpretation du site comme celle d'un village de passage axe sur la chasse au gros gibier.