Ancient sewers expose a hidden health crisis in Roman Britain
Sediments from a Roman latrine at Vindolanda show soldiers were infected with multiple intestinal parasites, including roundworm, whipworm, and Giardia — the first time Giardia has been identified in Roman Britain. These parasites spread through contaminated food and water, causing diarrhea, weakness, and long-term illness. Even with sewers and communal toilets, infections passed easily between soldiers. The discovery highlights how harsh and unhealthy life could be on Rome’s northern frontier.
Scientists studying ancient sewer drains at the Roman fort of Vindolanda, located near Hadrian's Wall, have uncovered evidence that the people living there were infected with three different intestinal parasites: roundworm, whipworm, and Giardia duodenalis.
All three parasites spread through poor sanitation, typically when food, water, or hands are contaminated with human feces. Roundworms can grow to 20-30cm in length, while whipworms reach about 5cm. Giardia duodenalis is a microscopic protozoan parasite known for causing outbreaks of severe diarrhea. The discovery marks the first confirmed evidence of Giardia duodenalis in Roman Britain.
Vindolanda and the Roman Frontier in Britain
Vindolanda sat close to Hadrian's Wall in northern England. The wall was constructed by the Romans in the early 2nd century AD to protect the province of 'Britannia' from northern tribes and remained in use until the late 4th century. The fort itself lies between Carlisle and Corbridge in what is now Northumberland, Britain.
Stretching east to west from the North Sea to the Irish Sea, Hadrian's Wall featured a series of forts and towers placed at regular intervals. It was defended by a mix of infantry, archers, and cavalry drawn from across the Roman Empire.
A Site Known for Remarkable Preservation
Vindolanda is well known among archaeologists for its exceptional preservation of organic materials, thanks to the site's waterlogged soil. Discoveries include more than 1,000 thin wooden writing tablets that provide rare insight into everyday life at the fort, along with over 5,000 Roman leather shoes.
How Researchers Studied the Ancient Sewers
The parasite analysis focused on sediment taken from a sewer drain connected to the latrine block of a bath complex dating to the 3rd century CE. The research was carried out jointly by scientists from the universities of Cambridge and Oxford and published in the journal Parasitology.
Researchers collected 50 sediment samples from along the drain, which stretched roughly nine meters and carried waste from a communal latrine into a stream north of the fort. Along with the sediment, archaeologists recovered artifacts such as Roman beads, pottery fragments, and animal bones.
The samples were divided between laboratories at Cambridge and Oxford, where scientists examined them under microscopes to search for ancient helminth eggs, which are produced by parasitic worms that infect humans and animals.
Evidence of Worms and Giardia Infection
About 28% of the samples contained eggs from either roundworm or whipworm. One sample showed traces of both parasites. That same sample was further tested using a bio-molecular method called 'ELISA', a technique in which antibodies bind to proteins produced by single-celled organisms. This analysis revealed the presence of .