coprolites

It is the principal inorganic constituent of bones, and hence of the "bone-ash" of commerce (see PHOSPHORUS); it occurs with fluorides in the mineral apatite (_q. v._); and the concretions known as coprolites

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" Various

Reference may first be made to the so-called coprolites or phosphatic nodules which have been found in great abundance in the greensand formation, in the crag of the eastern counties, and in the chalk formation of the southern counties.

Manures and the principles of manuring Charles Morton Aikman

(Polite archaeologists like to call them "coprolites" when writing up excavation reports and grant applications.)

Pre-Clovis Breakthrough 2008

In many parts of the world round nodules, largely consisting of phosphate of lime, have been found, to which the name "coprolites" has been given, on the assumption that they consisted of fossilised animal excrements.

Manures and the principles of manuring Charles Morton Aikman

The authors, however, reject the possibility that the shells in the coprolites are the remains of ingested snails based on their contention that snail shells present in the dinosaurs’ food would likely have been crushed during chewing and the subsequent digestion.

Did ancient snails dig dino dung? AYDIN 2008

The authors, however, reject the possibility that the shells in the coprolites are the remains of ingested snails based on their contention that snail shells present in the dinosaurs’ food would likely have been crushed during chewing and the subsequent digestion.

Archive 2008-12-01 AYDIN 2008

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Dennis LeRoy Jenkins Poinar et al. argue that radiocarbon dates in the coprolite from Paisley Caves are not consistent, leading them to suggest that that is evidence that the coprolites had been contaminated Gilbert et al. respond that the radiocarbon dates are not inconsistent, but reproducible from two independent laboratories (with one contaminated), and that although the possibility of contamination is a reality, they are not ready to change their conclusions Goldberg et al. argue that they examined one of the coprolites which is purportedly human and believe it is likely to be from a herbivore Rasmussen et al. disagree with Golberg, arguing that the specimen is indeed human, since no mtDNA from a herbivore was discovered within the coprolite, and other mammalian mtDNA did survive Full Discussion yourself here

About.com Archaeology 2009

One said their own analysis of one of the coprolites was “difficult to reconcile with the DNA results identifying the coprolite as human.”

Swearing off DNA 2009

Researchers have published their analyses of plant seeds, leaf fragments and DNA from the dried faeces coprolites to start building the first detailed picture of an ecosystem dominated by giant extinct species moa, which ranged up to 250 kg and 3 m in height.

Archive 2009-02-01 Staq Mavlen 2009

Researchers have published their analyses of plant seeds, leaf fragments and DNA from the dried faeces coprolites to start building the first detailed picture of an ecosystem dominated by giant extinct species moa, which ranged up to 250 kg and 3 m in height.

The Diet of Giant Moas Staq Mavlen 2009