Diphyllobothriasis of the Chiribaya Culture (700–1476 AD) of Southern Peru

Abstract
Ova of Diphyllobothrium sp. were found in 7 of the 29 coprolites examined from 4 sites within the Chiribaya archaeological zone near Ilo, southern Peru. The Chiribaya represent a pre-Inca civilization of the Middle Horizon (600–1000 A.D.) and the Late Intermediate Period (1000–1476 A.D.). The Chiribaya economy was based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and maritime resources. The apparent commonality of diphyllobothriasis is supportive of the important role that fish played in the diet of the Chiribaya. Free-living coprophagous nematodes were found in 2 of the 29 samples.