Dental Anthropology

Early Pleistocene human mandible from Sima del Elefante (TE) cave site in Sierra de Atapuerca (Spain): A palaeopathological study

by Ana Gracia-Téllez

Here we present a detailed palaeopathological study of the hominin mandible ATE9-1 found at the Sima del Elefante site... more Here we present a detailed palaeopathological study of the hominin mandible ATE9-1 found at the Sima del Elefante site (TE), Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain. This fossil represents the earliest hominin remains from Western Europe with an age of ca. 1.3 Ma. The specimen displays several dento-gnathic lesions; the antiquity and geographic location of this fossil justifies a detailed palaeopathological study to determine if the pathologies have significantly altered taxonomically relevant features. Our study reveals severe dental attrition combined with generalized hypercementosis, alveolar root exposure, mild periodontal disease, tooth dislocation, and an anomalous occlusal plane. We have also observed calculus deposits, two cystic lesions and an anomalous wear facet compatible with tooth picking. The majority of these pathological signs can be explained by compensatory eruption. We propose that these lesions are associated as causes, consequences, and amplifiers of one another within the framework of heavy and even traumatic occlusion, masticatory habits, or both traumatic occlusion and masticatory habits. Despite the severity of these lesions, occlusion was at least partially functional so it was unlikely to influence the survival of this individual. In addition, the lesions do not prohibit the taxonomic assessment of the mandible.

Orofacial pathology in homo heidelbergensis: the case of skull 5 from the Sima de los Huesos site (Atapuerca, Spain).

by Ana Gracia-Téllez

Gracia et al. QI 2012
pdf request: agraciatellez@gmail.com

This paper presents a detailed palaeopathological study of the orofacial lesions present in Skull 5 from the Sima de... more This paper presents a detailed palaeopathological study of the orofacial lesions present in Skull 5 from the Sima de los Huesos Middle Pleistocene site. Besides testing a previous diagnosis of periodontal disease, tooth wear, left P3 fracture and two periapical abscesses, unreported lesions are identified: the I1 abscess and the M3 fracture. The timing of the pathological events that have produced the conspicuous bone growth of the maxilla was determined with the aid of computer tomography techniques. This is particularly important to assess the duration/chronicity of the lesions and the cause/s of them. Some physiological particularities of the region affected could account for the maxillary osteitis and concomitant infection as a probable cause of death.

Application of Tooth Coronal Index for Age Estimation Among Adult Egyptians

by Tamer Mahmoued

Co-authored with Nancy A.F. Khattab , Hazem M. Marzouk

The correlation between the reduction of the coronal pulp cavity and the chronological age was examined in a sample of... more The correlation between the reduction of the coronal pulp cavity and the chronological age was examined in a sample of 532 intact mandibular second premolar from 266 Individuals of known age and sex. A panoramic radiographic examination was conducted on the selected individuals. Panoramic radiography was used to measure the length (mm) of the tooth crown (CL=coronal length) and the length (mm) of the coronal pulp cavity (CPCL=coronal pulp cavity length). The tooth-coronal index (TCI) after Ikeda et al. (1985) was calibrated with the computer software for accuracy and precision for each tooth. The values obtained were then subjected to regression analysis to derive equations for age estimation. The results were calculated and correlated with the chronologic age for evaluation. The correlation coefficients between chronological age and tooth coronal index ranged from -0.963 to -0.925. Regression equations derived for age estimation utilizing TCI for Egyptian population showed coefficient of determination (r2) ranging from 0.843 to 0.862 .This study shows the potential value of tooth coronal index aging method, which can be easily used to estimate age.

Buccal dental microwear analyses support greater specialization in consumption of hard foodstuffs for Australopithecus anamensis

by Jordi Galbany

Ferran Estebaranz, Jordi Galbany, Laura M Martínez, Daniel Turbón & Alejandro Pérez-Pérez (2012, accepted) Buccal dental microwear analyses support greater specialization in consumption of hard foodstuffs for Australopithecus anamensis. Journal of Anthropological Sciences.

Molar occlusal microwear texture and anisotropy analyses of 3 Australopithecus anamensis fossil specimens have shown... more Molar occlusal microwear texture and anisotropy analyses of 3 Australopithecus anamensis fossil specimens have shown complexity values similar to those of Au.afarensis,indicating that neither of these hominin species had a diet dominated by hard food. However, many researchers have suggested that these were some of the earliest hominins to have such diets. Here we examine buccal microwear patterns of 5 Au. anamensis, 26 Au. afarensis, 48 Hominoidea and 80 Cercopithecoidea primate specimens for independent evidence of dietary adaptations of Au. anamensis. The buccal microwear results obtained suggest that the diet of Au.anamensis relied heavily on hard, brittle food, at least seasonally. This is similar to the diet of the extant Cercopithecoidea primates, including Papio anubis and Chlorocebus aethiops, both of which live in wooded, seasonal savannah environments and have diets that include fruit and grasses, but also underground storage organs (USOs), such as corms or blades, as well as leaves and seeds, and also Mandrillus and Cercocebus, from forested environments with frugivorous-granivorous diets. Furthermore, the buccal microwear patterns of Au.anamensis and Au.afarensis clearly differed –in clear contrast to occlusal enamel texture observations–, which support previous dietary interpretations based on both anatomical and palaeocological reconstructions.

Keywords: hominin, diet, feeding ecology, buccal microwear, fallback food, Australopithecus anamensis

Recent Bioarchaeological Investigations of 22SH506

by J. Rocco de Gregory

Co-authored with NP Herrmann

During Phase III excavations of the Rolling Fork Mound
Site (22SH506) in Sharkey County, Mississippi, ninemore During Phase III excavations of the Rolling Fork Mound
Site (22SH506) in Sharkey County, Mississippi, nine
burials containing a minimum of 15 individuals were
recovered. The burials represent a small but
demographically diverse sample. The interpretive
analysis focuses on the examination of oral health,
developmental dental defects, congenital traits, and adult
stature. A comparative bioarchaeological analysis
examining Mississippian and Woodland populations from
Mississippi and Alabama is presented to contextualize
the Rolling Fork individuals. The results of the analysis
indicate that the Rolling Fork sample was similar to
contemporary Late Mississippian

Osteological Analysis of Three Skeletons from the Royal York Hotel, York

by Lauren McIntyre

McIntyre, L. 2011. Osteological Analysis of Three Skeletons from the Royal York Hotel, York. Unpublished osteological report.

Three human skeletons were excavated in the grounds of the Royal York Hotel, York, in 1999 during a 3 day excavation... more Three human skeletons were excavated in the grounds of the Royal York Hotel, York, in 1999 during a 3 day excavation by Time Team and On Site Archaeology. This paper aims to analyse these remains using standard osteological techniques. The three individuals comprised a 30-45 year old female, a 3.5-5 year old sub adult, and a 15-20 year old male. Observed non-dental pathological conditions included os acromiale, Schmorl’s nodes, periostitis, a bone spur and a large unidentified vertebral lesion. Observed dental conditions included dental calculus, enamel hypoplasia, periodontal disease, ante mortem tooth loss, abscess, dental caries and retained deciduous teeth.

Diachronic trends in dental dimensions of Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene European and Near Eastern Populations

by Ron Pinhasi

Dental Reduction and the Transition to Agriculture in Europe

by Ron Pinhasi

Reconstructing the life-time lead exposure in children using dentine in deciduous teeth.

by Wendy Dirks

Authors: Shepherd TJ, Dirks W, Manmee C, Hodgson S, Banks DA, Averley P, Pless-Mulloli T

Data are presented to demonstrate that the circumpulpal dentine of deciduous teeth can be used to reconstruct a... more Data are presented to demonstrate that the circumpulpal dentine of deciduous teeth can be used to reconstruct a detailed record of childhood exposure to lead. By combining high spatial resolution laser ablation ICP-MS with dental histology, information was acquired on the concentration of lead in dentine from in utero to several years after birth, using a true time template of dentine growth. Time corrected lead analyses for pairs of deciduous molars confirmed that between-tooth variation for the same child was negligible and that meaningful exposure histories can be obtained from a single, multi-point ablation transect on longitudinal sections of individual teeth. For a laser beam of 100 μm diameter, the lead signal for each ablation point represented a time span of 42 days. Simultaneous analyses for Sr, Zn and Mg suggest that the incorporation of Pb into dentine (carbonated apatite) is most likely controlled by nanocrystal growth mechanisms. The study also highlights the importance of discriminating between primary and secondary dentine and the dangers of translating lead analyses into blood lead estimates without determining the age or duration of dentine sampled. Further work is in progress to validate deciduous teeth as blood lead biomarkers.

Cementum Annulations, Age Estimation, and Demographic Dynamics in Mid-Holocene Forgers of North India

by Gwen Robbins Schug

G. Robbins Schug, E.T. Brandt, J.R. Lukacs

One of the principal problems facing paleodemography is age estimation in adult skeletons and the centrist tendency... more One of the principal problems facing paleodemography is age estimation in adult skeletons and the centrist tendency that affects many age estimation methods by artificially increasing the proportion of individuals in the 30-45 year age category. Several recent publications have indicated that cementum annulations are significantly correlated with known age of extraction or death. This study addresses the question of how demographic dynamics are altered for an archaeological sample when cementum-based age estimates are used as opposed to those obtained via conventional macroscopic methods. Age pyramids were constructed and demographic profiles were compared for the early Holocene skeletal population from Damdama (India). The results demonstrate that the use of cementum annulations for age estimation in only a subset of the skeletal sample has a significant impact on the demographic profile with regard to specific parameters such as mean age at death and life expectancy at birth. This confirms the importance of using cementum annulations to refine age estimates in archaeological samples, which, when combined with a fertility-centered approach to demography, can provide new insights into population dynamics in the past.

Demographic and environmental aspects of Early Bronze Age population at Melčice In Slovakia

by ivana jarosova

Horňák M., Jarošová I., Rejdovianová Z. (2010): Demographic and environmental aspects of Early Bronze Age population at Melčice in Slovakia. Anthropologie XLVIII/3: 255–269. Brno: Moravian Museum - Anthropos Institute. ISSN 0323-1119.

Dietary Inferences Using Buccal Microwear Analysis on the LBK Population from Vedrovice, Czech Republic

by ivana jarosova

Jarošová I. (2008): Dietary Inferences Using Buccal Microwear Analysis on the LBK Population from Vedrovice, Czech Republic. Antropologie XLV, 2-3: 175-184. Brno: Moravian Museum - Anthropos Institute. ISSN 0323-1119.

Rekonstrukce stravy neolitického obyvatelstva z moravských sídlišť podle mikroabrazí zubů.

by ivana jarosova

Jarošová I., Dočkalová M., Fojtová M., Dreslerová G., Čižmář Z., Hajnalová M. (2008): Rekonstrukce stravy neolitického obyvatelstva z moravských sídlišť podle mikroabrazí zubů. Otázky neolitu a neolitu našich krajín 2007. Nitra, Archeologický ústav SAV Nitra, 2008. s. 111-125. ISBN 978-80-89315-06-2.

Antropologické hodnocení tělesných pozůstatků jedince jevišovické kultury (?) z lokality Kroměříž 3 - Miňůvky, Křivky.

by ivana jarosova

Jarošová I., Králík M., Nováček J., Peška J., Tajer A. (2006): Antropologické hodnocení tělesných pozůstatků jedince jevišovické kultury (?) z lokality Kroměříž 3 - Miňůvky, Křivky. Ročenka 2005: 53-71. Olomouc: Archeologické centrum Olomouc, příspěvková organizace. ISBN 80-86989-01-1.

Anthropological analysis of skeletal and teeth remains of Jevišovice Culture (?) individual from the locality of... more Anthropological analysis of skeletal and teeth remains of Jevišovice Culture (?) individual from the locality of Kroměříž 3 - Miňůvky, Křivky.

Dental Buccal Microwear of Medieval Population from Dolní Věstonice, Czech Republic.

by ivana jarosova

Jarošová I. (2007): Dental Buccal Microwear of Medieval Population from Dolní Věstonice, Czech Republic. Antropologie XLV, 1: 71-80. Brno: Moravian Museum - Anthropos Institute. ISSN 0323-1119.

ABSTRACT: Dental microwear analyses have shown to reflect important information concerning diet in bioarchaeological... more ABSTRACT: Dental microwear analyses have shown to reflect important information concerning diet in bioarchaeological populations. By assuming of a correlation between ingested diet and microwear patterns on the enamel surface of teeth and quantifying enamel microwear, diet can be reconstructed. Buccal dental microwear analysis was carried out on a sample of 62 individuals from Dolní Věstonice – Na Pískách site, and 36 individuals from Dolní Věstonice – Vysoká zahrada site, Czech Republic. The former population is dated to the early Medieval period (late 8th – mid-11th century AD), thus this sample has been associated with Old-Slavonic population, and the latter falls into the 12th century AD. For each individual negative and positive replicas of molars and premolars’ buccal surface were made, and subsequently analysed in secondary electrons of scanning electron microscopy. The length, orientation and number of all observed striations in a 0.56 mm2 square surface area were quantified using SigmaScan Pro 5.0, image analysis software. Ultimately, obtained results were compared with published datasets acquired from studying various modern hunter-gatherers, pastoral, and agricultural populations with different dietary habits (Lalueza et al. 1996). The analysis yielded a distinct microwear pattern for both Dolní Věstonice populations. The density and the length of microstriations showed inter-group sex and age related variability in the 9th century AD, which presumably resulted from a different ratio of meat intake and vegetal meals. These differences in dietary habits did not endure in this site till the 12th century, when agricultural resources and food preparation technology were probably on higher level that required no more social stratification.

Buccal Dental Microwear as a Dietary Indicator in the Iron Age Human Population from Son Real, Spain.

by ivana jarosova

Jarošová I., Pérez-Pérez A., Dočkalová M., Drozdová E., Turbón D. (2006): Buccal Dental Microwear as a Dietary Indicator in the Iron Age Human Population from Son Real, Spain. Antropologie XLIV, 2: 139-150. Brno: Moravian Museum - Anthropos Institute. ISSN 0323-1119.

Rekonstrukce stravy pomocí dentálních mikroabrazí u obyvatel z Pohanska – Jižního předhradí.

by ivana jarosova

Jarošová I., Drozdová E. (2007): Rekonstrukce stravy pomocí dentálních mikroabrazí u obyvatel z Pohanska – Jižního předhradí. Ve službách archeologie 02/07: 84-93. Brno: tiskárna Helbich a.s. Brno; Geodrill Brno; Geopek Brno; Moravské zemské muzeum v Brně; Archeologický ústav, Slovenská akademie věd Nitra. ISSN 1802-5463.

Non-occlusal dental microwear analysis in the Slavonic population from Pohansko – South Outer Precincts, Czech... more Non-occlusal dental microwear analysis in the Slavonic population from Pohansko – South Outer Precincts, Czech Republic
Non-occlusal dental microwear has been studied in a sample of 33 individuals from Pohansko – South Outer Precincts, South Moravia (Czech Republic). These individuals fall into the Old-Slavonic period; this is well recognized as Great Moravian Empire (9th century AD). Moulds of their molars and premolars were made and observed at in secondary electrons mode of scanning electron microscopy. The length, orientation and density of these striations have been analyzed with the image analysis software SigmaScan Pro 5.0. Results obtained from this sample were compared with previous studies from various modern hunter-gatherers, pastoralists, and agriculturists with different diets (Inuits, Fueguians, Bushmen, Australian Aborigines, Andamanese, Indians from Vancouver, Veddahs, Tasmanians, Lapps, and Hindus) (Lalueza et al. 1996). The buccal microwear pattern in Pohansko – South Outer Precincts shows similarities with Bushmen, Tasmanians, and Veddahs, both from tropical and arid climates. The reconstruction of the dietary habits of the Pohansko – South Outer Precincts population suggests that they were heavily depending on abrasive plant foods, with a reduced amount of meat intake; a significant difference in food gaining and processing by age has been deduced as well.

Antropologický rozbor pithosového pohřbu ze starší doby bronzové z Vedrovic.

by ivana jarosova

Jarošová I. (2008): Antropologický rozbor pithosového pohřbu ze starší doby bronzové z Vedrovic. Pravěk NŘ 17, 2007, str. 163-178. Brno, Ústav archeologické památkové péče 2008. ISBN 80-86399-25-7.

Hypoplasie zubní skloviny jako nespecifický marker stresu u obyvatel ze Znojma-Hradiště (srovnání středověké a novověké populace).

by ivana jarosova

Jarošová I. (2005): Hypoplasie zubní skloviny jako nespecifický marker stresu u obyvatel ze Znojma-Hradiště (srovnání středověké a novověké populace). In Ve službách archeologie VI: 379-390. Brno: Muzejní a vlastivědná společnost v Brně, Geodrill Brno, Archeologický ústav Slovenská akademie věd Nitra. ISBN 80-7275-060-7.

Dental enamel hypoplasia as an indicator of non-specific stress in population from Zmojmo-Hradiště (a comparison... more Dental enamel hypoplasia as an indicator of non-specific stress in population from Zmojmo-Hradiště (a comparison between medieval and modern time population)

Several paleopathological indicators examined in human skeletal remains are caused by stress during childhood remain visible in adults. This paper presents a short overview of dental enamel defects with aim at their embodiment into expressions of non-specific stressors. In this study, localization and type of dental enamel hypoplasia (DEH) of permanent anterior teeth on macroscopic level was studied. These dental enamel defects were observed in 241 individuals in medieval (11th – beginning of 13th century AD) and modern time population (17th – 18th century AD) from Znojmo-Hradiště. Seventy-seven dentitions were scored for presence DEH. The number of subadults (0-19 years old) with DEH was significantly higher than that of adults. No significant differences in occurrence of DEH were found between males and females. The results show that the Znojmo-Hradiště population lived under conditions of higher environmental pathogen load, and probably also suffered from some nutritional deficiencies.

Antropologická analýza zbytků dětského chrupu z Milovic.

by ivana jarosova

Jarošová I., Oliva M. (2009): Antropologická analýza zbytků dětského chrupu z Milovic. In: M. Oliva (Ed.) a kol.: Sídliště mamutího lidu u Milovic pod Pálavou. Otázka struktur s mamutími kostmi. Pp. 131-133. Anthropos, Studies in Anthropology, Palaeoethnology, Paleontology and Quaternary Geology, Vol. 27, N.S. 19, 2009. Moravské zemské muzeum, Brno.