The aim of this final chapter is to integrate the results obtained from the multi-disciplinary study applied to a series of coprolites from the Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic Swifterbant Culture sites, to determine their role as a source of information about the prehistoric dietary tradition and health. The study of coprolites provides a unique opportunity to reconstruct the most complete spectrum of the foods that were consumed in the past, both as cooked meals as well as foods that were eaten raw. In addition to the food remains, coprolites also contain intestinal parasites which affected the health of prehistoric populations. Coprolite studies can also provide information about palaeoenvironmental conditions through the types of microfossils and macrofossils they contain.@en

In recent years, several researchers have illustrated the potential of X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) in the study of archaeological soils and artefacts. Hunt et al., Huisman et al., Wang et al., Qvarnström et al., and Shillito et al. have already foreseen and even demonstrated the added value of the technique for the investigation of ancient coprolites.114 Coprolites contain partially digested macro-food remains which can be distinguished on a micro-CT scan when they are large enough and contrast sufficiently in terms of X-ray attenuation values and/or patterns with the faecal mass. The scans of coprolites provide a direct and non-destructive way to assess diets from the past.@en