Prehistoric poop reveals person ate entire venomous snake, including a fang

An archaeologist analyzing a pile of prehistoric human poop found the remains of an entire viper, including a fang. Researcher Elanor Sonderman was studying the indigenous people who, 1500 years ago, used a cave in Texas's Lower Pecos canyonlands as a shelter and bathroom. One way archaeologists learn about a long-gone civilization's diet and health is to dig into their coprolites (preserved feces). According to Sonderman, the snake wasn't cooked, descaled, deboned, or apparently defanged before it was eaten. WTF? One theory is that the eater was tripping on peyote. From National Geographic:

Though Sondermans research team proposes that the snake was eaten for a distinctly ceremonial or ritualistic purpose, theres no way to tell for sure. I wouldn't want anyone to say We have a snake worshipping culture where people consume snakes ritualistically, says Sonderman. Thats not what were trying to say. Its only one example.

What the fang does suggest, she says, is that it wasnt unheard of for people to eat venomous snakesbut, given its uniqueness, it could have been consumed on a special occasion. Or not. Maybe it was just a dareor a very dangerous dietary preference.

"1,500 years ago, someone ate a venomous snake whole. Why?" (National Geographic)

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