A Discovery Beneath the Floorboards
In 1972, construction workers digging in York, England, unearthed an unusual object beneath a future Lloyds Bank branch. What they found wasn’t treasure—at least not the usual kind. It was a 20-centimeter-long, 5-centimeter-wide human coprolite, later confirmed to be over 1,000 years old.
A Viking’s Unflushed Record
Dubbed the Lloyds Bank Coprolite, the fossilized feces belonged to a Viking from the 9th century. Analysis revealed a diet high in meat and grains, but low in fruits or vegetables. The stool also contained parasite eggs, suggesting the Viking had intestinal problems.
Preserved by Nature’s Conditions
York’s waterlogged, oxygen-deprived soil helped preserve the coprolite. Unlike typical waste that decays quickly, the organic-rich environment kept the specimen intact—along with other archaeological materials like wood, leather, and cloth.
On Display and Valued
The coprolite is now on exhibit at the JORVIK Viking Centre in York and has been valued at approximately $39,000. One researcher famously described it as “as precious as the crown jewels,” due to its unique insight into Viking diet and health.
In 1972, workers digging under a future Lloyds Bank branch in York, England, found something no one expected—a massive piece of human poop. But this wasn’t ordinary waste. It was fossilized, 1,200 years old, left behind by a Viking, and is now valued at $39,000…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/Zn7DnJQCAQ
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