Coprolites (fossilized faeces) can provide valuable insights into species’ diet and related habits. In archaeozoological contexts, they are a potential source of information on human-animal interactions as well as human and animal subsistence. However, despite a broad discussion on coprolites in archaeology, such finds are rarely subject to detailed examination by researchers, perhaps due to the destructive nature of traditional analytical methods. Here, we have examined coprolitic remains from the Neolithic (third millennium BCE) settlement at Skara Brae, Orkney, using a range of modern methods: X-ray computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, lipid and protein analysis (shotgun proteomics of the coprolite matrix as well as collagen peptide mass fingerprinting of isolated bone fragments). This combined approach minimised destructiveness of sampling, leaving sufficient material for subsequent study, while providing more information than traditional morphological examination alone. Based on gross visual examination, coprolites were predominantly attributed to domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), with morphologically identified bone inclusions derived from domestic sheep (Ovis aries) and common voles (Microtus arvalis). Partial dissection of a coprolite provided bone samples containing protein markers akin to those of domestic sheep. Considering the predominance of vertebral and distal limb bone fragments, Skara Brae dogs were probably consuming human butchery or meal refuse, either routinely fed to them or scavenged. The presumably opportunistic consumption of rodents may also have played a role in pest control.

Coprolites（僵化的粪便）可以提供有关物种饮食和相关习惯的宝贵见解。在考古学背景下，它们是有关人与动物相互作用以及人类和动物生存的信息的潜在来源。然而，尽管在考古学上对共生质进行了广泛的讨论，但由于传统分析方法的破坏性，此类发现很少受到研究人员的详细检查。在这里，我们使用一系列现代方法研究了来自奥克尼州Skara Brae的新石器时代（公元前三千年）定居点的余生遗骸：X射线计算机断层扫描，扫描电子显微镜，脂质和蛋白质分析（余生蛋白质组学的shot弹枪蛋白质组学）以及分离出的骨碎片的胶原蛋白肽指纹图谱）。这种组合方法最大程度地减少了采样的破坏性，为后续研究留出了足够的材料，同时提供了比传统形态学检查更多的信息。根据粗略的目视检查，coprolites主要归因于家犬（犬科犬，具有从家绵羊（Ovis aries）和普通田鼠（田鼠（Microtus arvalis））形态学鉴定的骨包裹体。共腐殖质的部分解剖提供的骨样品含有类似于家羊的蛋白质标记。考虑到椎骨和四肢远端骨碎片的优势，Skara Brae狗可能正在食用人类的屠宰场或进餐垃圾，或者定期喂食它们或将其清除。啮齿动物的机会性消费也可能在害虫控制中发挥了作用。