First paleoparasitological analysis of a midden in the Aleutian Islands (Alaska): Results and limits

Excavations on Buldir Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. have revealed the r emains of several features dated between the 13th and 17th centuries A.D. S oil from an open-air workshop, represented by 2 excavated pits, and a struc ture built of whale bones were sampled for evidence of parasites and microf loristic remains. Two groups of helminth eggs (Diphyllobothrium and Ankylos tomidae) were identified in samples from the open-air pits; microfloristica l remains were found in all samples. This is the first paleoparasitological analysis conducted on an Aleutian midden.