coprolite

[ kop-ruh-lahyt ]

noun

1. a stony mass consisting of fossilized fecal matter of animals.

coprolite

/ ˈkɒprəˌlaɪt; ˌkɒprəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. any of various rounded stony nodules thought to be the fossilized faeces of Palaeozic-Cenozoic vertebrates

coprolite

/ kŏp′rə-līt′ /

1. Fossilized excrement. Analysis of the fossilized animal and plant remains within coprolites provides important information about the diet and environment of ancient biota.

Derived Forms

• coprolitic, adjective

Other Words From

• cop·ro·lit·ic [kop-r, uh, -, lit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coprolite¹

First recorded in 1820–30; copro- + -lite

Example Sentences

Mr Frandsen's foray into coprolite hunting arose after he first saw one as a teenager in a rock and fossil shop in Utah, having already been fascinated by fossils as a child.

From BBC

Encircling the footprint of each roundhouse were "middens," haloes of rubbish dumped from the stilt village above, included broken pots, butchered animal bone, and "coprolites" or fossilised faeces.

From Science Daily

Dr. De Cupere studies everything including bones, teeth and shells as well as coprolites, or fossilized feces, and animal prints.

From New York Times

But it’s equally remarkable that the tightly-packed coprolites within its braincase were also preserved.

From New York Times

A recent analysis of 13 Bronze Age canine coprolites reveals how shifts to a grain-based diet affected dogs’ gut microbes, which may have played a role in the animals’ domestication.

From Scientific American