Coprostanol and its derivative epicoprostanol are used in archaeological and paleoenvironmental studies as indicators of past human activity due to their longevity in soils and strong association with production in the human gut. Researchers have used the presence of coprostanol to identify archaeological features such as cesspits or landscape activities like manuring. Variations in the concentration of coprostanol over time can be used to create human population reconstructions within a specific depositional environment.