Lloyds Bank Coprolite

This piece of fossilized Viking poop is so well-preserved, one paleoscatologist called it as “precious as the crown jewels.” Archaeologists have dated the dung back to the ninth century, when what’s now York was ruled by Norse warrior-kings.

This coprolite (fossilized feces) was discovered in 1972 in York under what was to become a local bank. As such, it’s been named the Lloyds Bank coprolite, or more colloquially, the Lloyds Bank turd.

Paleoscatologists determined that the human who deposited this now-renowned, seven-inch specimen had a diet of meat and bread. Unfortunately for that poor, long-dead soul, they also had a handful of intestinal issues. The scat was scattered with whipworm and maw-worm eggs, which would have caused stomach aches and other more unfortunate gastrointestinal symptoms.

Today, the coprolite is on display in the museum section of the Jorvik Viking Centre inside a glass box. In 2003, a visitor group dropped the specimen and broke into three pieces. It has since been repaired, but don't expect to get your hands dirty holding it!