Preliminary results of the analysis of coprolite material of a dog unearthed from the Van-Yoncatepe necropolis in eastern Anatolia

Abstract

This study presents the results of the analyses of the coprolite material found among the skeletal remains in M6, a burial chamber discovered in the necropolis of the Van-Yoncatepe Castle, which dates back to the beginning of the 1(st) millennium BC (Early Iron Age). For this purpose, microbiological and parasitological examinations, as well as biochemical analyses have been carried out. Because the crystallisation values were so high, the parasite evidences could not been revealed. As a result of the microbiological examination, no micro-organisms were isolated. As for the biochemical analyses performed, the material was tested for glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg). Attempts were then made to ascertain the feeding habits of the Yoncatepe dogs.