University of Oregon archeologists have a brand new checklist for their field trips. Fedora? Check. Bullwhip? Got it. Poop stick? Yep. Wait, what…?

It’s true. Our most learned academics and scientists are now carrying a little something extra to clean off the bottom of their shoes. Dr. Dennis Jenkins, archaeological field school director for the University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History, announced this April that his team discovered coprolites containing human DNA dated more than 14,000 years old.

The team of archeologists made this historic finding during field research at the Paisley Caves in southern Oregon. The Bureau of Land Management administers the area, which is located within the Summer Lake Basin near Paisley, Ore.

And thanks to Federal Antiquities permits provided in partnership by the BLM Lakeview District, Jenkins’ discovery now makes this site home to the earliest known residents of North America. They are more than 1,000 years older than the “Clovis” culture previously established in New Mexico.

Coprolite is just a fancy word for fossilized feces. And researchers are now realizing that coprolites are jam-packed with information. Coprolites offer scientists more than just their basic age – these fossils also provide a fascinating look into the DNA and genetic makeup of the earliest humans.

Jenkins has been able to identify DNA characteristics that indicate the Paisley Caves coprolites came from early Native Americans. This genetic code shares many similarities with ancient groups from Eastern Asia – thus giving a level of credence to the premise that prehistoric humans traveled to the Americas by way of a land bridge from Asia across the Bering Sea.

In addition to our American ancestors’ genetic material, we can also study their diet in the coprolites.  From these now famous samples, Jenkins’ team has identified remnants of grouse, chipmunk, lizards and fish. They’ve also detected a number of wild greens that grew outside the Paisley Caves.  Not exactly haute cuisine, but you have to remember they couldn’t get good cellphone coverage back in those days when they wanted to order a pizza.

Instead Jenkins’ dietary findings suggest these early humans were likely hunter-gatherers who traveled frequently, eating small animals they could more easily capture, along with local grains and grasses. Then they took shelter in caves to “… take a break.”

Because the Paisley Caves are located on public lands, these fossils have received the protection and oversight of BLM management. “It is thrilling that America’s public lands have revealed such a significant link to our past,” said Shirley Gammon, manager of BLM's Lakeview District. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Dr. Jenkins and the University of Oregon in further research and protection of this once in a lifetime discovery.”   

Thrilling? A once-in-a-lifetime discovery? Never have coprolites been so newsworthy, but don’t expect to see them on display in your local museum any time soon.