Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog on June 25, 2026
An excavating expedition revealed chamber pots that indicated the presence of the Crypto parasite in ancient Romans. This marks the world’s oldest known evidence of humans being infected with the Cryptosporidium parasite. A pathogen responsible for food or waterborne illness.
How was this finding discovered? Why is this important? What is “Crypto?” Is Crypto a problem today?
Here’s what we know about scientists discovering evidence of Crypto parasite in ancient Romans so far!
An excavation taking place at a dig site at a Roman legion fortress called Novae (near present-day Svishtov on the Balkan Peninsula) uncovered chamber pots. A typical functional item of the time.
Residents of the fortress in the then city of Marcianopolis would have used these chamber pots to relieve themselves while indoors. The contents of which would be discarded in the fashion of the time (likely dumped into a trough behind the fortress or perhaps even tossed out the window.
These were very different times. Smelly, different times.
Thank goodness for nose blindness.
Scientists were particularly interested in finding out what they could from residue on these chamber pots.
While the receptacle they were examining was not a typical item we use today, what they found was something that continues to plague modern day humans.
Cryptosporidium. Or Crypto, for short.
When some people look at chamber pots, they see ancient pottery. A relic from a time long ago. Maybe they try to imagine the person who might have held the item. What did they look like? How did they think?
But scientists have a different perspective.
What’s in their poop?
Analyzing the encrusted remains of these chamber pots could reveal aspects of their diets. Or in this case, evidence of gastrointestinal illness.
In a study published in npj Heritage Science, researchers reported their findings. Which analyzed samples using a technology known as ELISA, which can detect bacteria, parasites, and viruses in samples containing bodily fluids.
In addition to finding Crypto parasite in ancient Romans chamber pots, they also found other pathogens. A protozoan called Entamoeba histolytica and the tapeworm Taenia.
Also notable, is the fact that these pathogens were found in more than one chamber pot. An indication first author Elena Klenina, historian at Adam Mickiewicz University says is evidence of relatively widespread infection across the community.
While this excavation revealing the presence of Crypto parasite in ancient Romans, it isn’t the only intestinal illness of the time. Other studies have found intestinal worms and Giardia in the Roman frontiers and in materials uncovered from ancient Roman dig sites.
This discovery of Crypto parasite in ancient Romans ruins is not the only indication of intestinal pathogens found across the ancient world.
Archeologists found the parasite in preserved human feces at dig sites in Mexico dated to around A.D. 700. At the time, this finding was believed to be the earliest known evidence of Crypto. Then, the remains of a 5,000-year-old goat from the western Mediterranean tested positive for the parasite. Which shifted the theory that the parasite originated in the Americas to considering the parasite may have started in Europe.
However, until more information becomes available, the Crypto parasite in Ancient Romans artifacts indicates that this area holds the oldest known human Crypto infection.
All this talk of Crypto and Cryptosporidium. So, what exactly is Crypto?
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite responsible for the diarrheal disease known as cryptosporidiosis. This hardy parasite lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals.
What makes it so hardy is its protective outer shell. A spore-like covering known as an oocyte. This oocyte can live for long periods of time outside of the body.
It can even survive chlorine disinfection!
After it leaves its human or animal host, it can contaminate soil, water, food, or surfaces which have come into contact with infected feces.
You may be wondering, is Crypto still a problem in the modern world?
Unfortunately, yes. This germ is alive today and causing intestinal illness across the globe.
Making matters worse, it is very contagious!
It doesn’t take much of the parasite to make someone sick. This is because millions of parasites are released in a single bowel movement, it survives outside of the body, and resists decontamination efforts.
While water (both drinking and recreational) are common methods Cryptosporidium infections spread, livestock animals and livestock attractions are pretty high on the list.
Livestock animals generally just “go” where and when they need to.
They aren’t shy about it.
Even with regular cleaning, petting zoos and livestock exhibits are going to have poop around. If that poop happens to be contaminated, there is a high chance of spreading the illness to those enjoying the exhibit.
People often get infected by eating or drinking after contact with trace amounts of infected poop. You can even become infected by touching something that is contaminated with the parasite and then touching your mouth or area around your mouth.
Everyone is vulnerable to illness when exposed to Cryptosporidium contamination. Though certain groups of people may develop serious and sometimes fatal complications associated with this infection. Generally, these are people with weakened immune systems and other related conditions.
This includes:
In some cases, certain people with a Cryptosporidium infection have no symptoms at all. They may still shed the parasite and have the potential to infect others. Even without these symptoms.
When symptomatic, the most common symptom associated with Cryptosporidium infection is watery diarrhea. This symptom is what generally prompts healthcare providers to test for the parasite.
Other symptoms include:
Most people begin to feel sick between 2 and 10 days after exposure with an average of about 7 days in most cases. These symptoms often persist for about 1 to 2 weeks, though they may last for 4 or more weeks.
Occasionally people will experience several symptom relapses. They will begin to feel better, and symptoms resolve. Only for them to return and leave again over a few cycles. This can persist for months.
In cases of immunocompromised patients, a Cryptosporidium infection can leave the small intestine and digestive tract completely. Affecting other parts of the body. Including the respiratory tract.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Recent Studies Reveal Crypto Parasite in Ancient Romans ,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)