Fossilised dung clue to secret lives of ‘pets’ in Iron Age

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Fossilised dung unearthed at an Iron Age broch could provide interesting information on the diets of animals and humans that once lived at the site.

Archaeologists believe the faeces were left by dogs or cats that helped to control vermin towards the end of occupation of the roundhouse on Orkney.

The coprolites, fossilised faeces, is thought to be about 2,000 years old.

Examinations of the dung could reveal what kinds of scrap foods the animals were thrown by the broch's residents.

The coprolites are among several interesting finds made at The Cairns on South Ronaldsay.

Read more : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-36796805