New research may help scientists learn more about the historic passage of Carthaginian general Hannibal and his troops across the Alps during the Second Punic War.
The staff of Queens University’s School of Biological Sciences in Belfast undertook an analysis of horse droppings that were found on the border of France and Italy, at the Col de Traversette. According to scientists, it was with this passage that Hannibal crossed to Italy and surprised Rome.
For decades, there have been debates as to the actual path taken by Carthaginian troops and elephants. Recent research is to prove that the Col de Traversette is this place. Archaeologists found considerable amounts of excrement, which in their opinion may have belonged to horses, elephants and people from ancient times (the Carthaginian army numbered several thousand horses and 40 elephants). Traces of horse tapeworms were also found, and there are chances that tapeworm eggs infecting elephants will be found.
