In archaeology, ancient teeth are seen as more than tools for chewing food. They serve as storytellers, offering invaluable insights into the lives and experiences of people from fallen civilizations. Through careful examination and analysis, dental archaeologists can uncover a wealth of information about diet, health, and even cultural practices.
If you’re curious about the fascinating tales that ancient teeth can tell about your ancestor’s oral health, continue reading.
What Did Ancient People Eat?
The foods consumed by past civilizations leave distinct marks on fossilized teeth. For instance, the presence of certain types of wear or enamel damage can show a diet rich in coarse grains or tough greens.
In the same way, dental decay may suggest an ancient person loved to munch on sugary or acidic foods. By studying these clues, dental archaeologists can reconstruct the dietary habits of entire ancient populations! This can help them understand how people in the past adapted to their environment.
Health Indicators
Just like today, ancient teeth can also offer information about the overall health of individual ancestors. Conditions like malnutrition, infectious diseases, and systemic illnesses can all leave marks on dental tissues. For example, new research has uncovered that teeth can hold on to antibodies for hundreds of years.
These are the proteins produced by your immune system to fight viruses and bacteria. By examining multiple people with these antibodies, dental archologists can figure out if a population was wiped out by sickness or became immune to it!
Genetics and Migration
Teeth can also provide evidence for studying ancient population movements and migrations. Analysis of the enamel or dentin of ancient teeth can reveal information about the origins of a group of people. By comparing results from different regions, dental archaeologists can trace the movements of ancient populations and explore connections between different communities.
The study of dental remains provides dental archeologists with many stories to tell. Because of these intelligent and passionate people, voices from past civilizations can now be heard even today. By carefully analyzing ancient teeth, archaeologists can put together the history of human society one puzzle piece at a time.
About the Practice
Dr. Amanda Cobb and Dr. Dan Mazor are talented and passionate dentists who love everything about teeth! They strive to provide a resource of dental education for all their patients as they continue to help them reach their smile goals. They use the latest dental technology and techniques to provide top-notch dental care in a welcoming environment. Call (305) 680-1553 to schedule an appointment at Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry of the Keys, or visit the website to learn more.