DENTAL PATHOLOGY IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS POPULATION FROM THE IRON AGE TO THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES (ZAYUKOVO-3 BURIAL GROUND MATERIALS)

This study investigates changes in skeletal long-bone dimensions in North Caucasus populations over a span of approximately 1,500 years (from 8th century BC to 7th century AD), using materials from the Zayukovo-3 polycultural cemetery (Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, Russia) as a case study. The research aims to reconstruct stature and assess morphological variability among individuals from three key cultural-chronological phases of the site: the Western Koban culture of the pre-Scythian period (8th–5th centuries BC), the Podkumok-Khumara cultural group of the Late Sarmatian period (1st–3rd centuries AD), and the Early Alanian period (5th–7th centuries AD). Methods employed include paleoanthropological analysis, reconstruction of fragmented skeletal remains, osteometric measurement, stature estimation, and statistical processing of the resulting data. The analysis revealed statistically significant differences and similarities among the compared groups. Males from the Koban and Alanian stages displayed morphological similarity, while female stature showed no significant difference between the Koban and Sarmatian samples. The Koban population exhibited pronounced sexual dimorphism in skeletal proportions. Sarmatian males had the lowest mean stature (163 cm) and were morphologically distinct from the other groups. Reconstructed stature was 169 cm for Koban males and 168 cm for Alanian males. These results align with recent paleogenetic studies suggesting biological continuity between Koban and Alanian populations. The findings underscore the value of osteometric analysis in paleoanthropological research and highlight the complex biological dynamics of ancient North Caucasus populations. They indicate both long-term continuity across certain archaeological cultures and the potential impact of external components during the Sarmatian period. These patterns warrant further verification through interdisciplinary studies.

Bioarchaeologists have long noted two unusual trends in the dentitions of prehistoric Native Californian populations: high rates of wear and low prevalence of caries. The Central California site of CA-CCO-548 offers a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between oral pathology and extreme dental wear in a large (n = 480), ancient (4,300–3,100 BP), and temporally well-defined population sample. This study specifically examines three interrelated processes of the oral cavity in this population: dental wear, dental caries, and periodontal disease. The results show high levels of dental wear (average of 6.1, Smith system), low frequencies of carious lesions (2.5%), low frequencies of periodontal disease (17.8%), and high frequencies of periapical abscesses (10.7%). The pathological processes examined here have complicated multifactorial etiologies. However, they all share the common primary etiological agents of facultative pathogenic bacteria proliferation in the oral biofilm. Integration of the current etiological explanations for infections of the oral cavity, information from the ethnographic record pertaining to subsistence and activity patterns in Native Californian populations, and statistical analysis of specific disease and wear patterns leads to a novel explanation for the observed pattern of oral pathology in this population sample. Specifically, the introduction of antibacterial compounds through dietary items and non-alimentary tooth use is suggested as the most likely explanation for the unusually low prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease.

Dental diseases and dental wear as a proxy for dietary patterns in Hellenistic-early Roman Menainon, Sicily

Tooth wear, enamel hypoplasia and traumatic dental injuries among cerebral palsy children of Riyadh city

Dental caries and wear are important conditions to record in archaeological collections. The aim of the present paper is to determine the frequency and distribution of dental caries and dental wear in a mediaeval Byzantine paediatric population in Yenikapı, Constantinople, Istanbul. The present research was carried out on the skeletal remains of 1 infant and 28 children with a total of 180 teeth (113 primary and 67 permanent teeth). The frequency of ante-mortem tooth loss in the sample was 1%. The total frequency of carious lesions in the sample was 2.2%. The frequency of dental wear was rather low (3.3%) exhibiting presence of dentin clusters mostly. The present study evaluated an archaeological collection with low dental wear and low dental caries prevalence indicating a fishing community.

Archaeological rescue test excavations that were carried out by the Ethiopian Cultural Heritage Project Site Planning and Conservation sub-component at the Gebreslassie Bariya Gabir palace enclosure at the back of The Main Stelae Field in Aksum from the 5th of June to the 15th of July 2005 yielded at least four underground rock-cut tombs 4 meters depth below modern ground surface level, dating at least to about the 3rd century AD. In the course of the excavations, a large number of classical Aksumite ware, imported pottery, glass, beads and Aksumite iron tools dating between about the 3rd and 4th centuries AD were also retrieved from the same site.Keywords: Stelae, rock-cut, mortuary, Aksumite

Traumatic dental injuries are a public health problem. Visual impairment can be considered a risk factor for traumatic dental injury given the difficulties imposed upon visually impaired patients by limited physical perception. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of traumatic dental injuries and their sequelae in adolescents with visual impairment. Adolescents (12-18years) with visual impairment (blind or low vision) and no other special needs were included in the study. Data were collected after a clinical and radiographic examination. Data regarding gender, age, type of visual impairment, site of traumatic dental injury, tooth type, and affected tissues, care, and sequelae were obtained. The data were analyzed descriptively and with the chi-square test (p<.05). Among 96 adolescents (65% blind; 55% female), 20.8% (n=20) reported they had previously experienced a traumatic dental injury of 33 teeth (78.8% maxillary central incisors). Combined injuries (30.3%; n=10) were the most common traumatic dental injuries, followed by concussion (27.3%, n=9) and enamel-dentine fractures (21.2%, n=7). Sequelae were observed in 27.3% (n=9) of the teeth affected by a traumatic dental injury, and apical periodontitis (77.8%, n=7) was the most common. The frequency of traumatic dental injuries among visually impaired adolescents can be considered high, and the observed sequelae could have been minimized if adequate clinical and radiographic follow up had been carried out. These results suggest the importance of enhanced educational efforts to reduce traumatic dental injuries.

Approximately 50,000–11,000 years ago many species around the world became extinct or were extirpated at a continental scale. The causes of the late Pleistocene extinctions have been extensively debated and continue to be poorly understood. Several extinction models have been proposed, including two nutritionally based extinction models: the coevolutionary disequilibrium and mosaic-nutrient models. These models draw upon the individualistic response of plant species to climate change to present a plausible scenario in which nutritional stress is considered one of the primary causes for the late Pleistocene extinctions.In this study, we tested predictions of the coevolutionary disequilibrium and mosaic-nutrient extinction models through the study of dental wear and enamel hypoplasia ofEquusandBisonfrom various North American localities. The analysis of the dental wear (microwear and mesowear) of the samples yielded results that are consistent with predictions established for the coevolutionary disequilibrium model, but not for the mosaic-nutrient model. These ungulate species show statistically different dental wear patterns (suggesting dietary resource partitioning) during preglacial and full-glacial time intervals, but not during the postglacial in accordance with predictions of the coevolutionary disequilibrium model. In addition to changes in diet, these ungulates, specifically the equid species, show increased levels of enamel hypoplasia during the postglacial, indicating higher levels of systemic stress, a result that is consistent with the models tested and with other climate-based extinction models. The extent to which the increase in systemic stress was detrimental to equid populations remains to be further investigated, but suggests that environmental changes during the late Pleistocene significantly impacted North American equids.

Background and aim: Primary teeth trauma has received very little attention compared to permanent teeth due to their eventual exfoliation. Enamel discolorations, hypoplasias, and enamel-surface abnormalities have been reported in the permanent dentition following primary tooth trauma. Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) also have an impact on the quality of life of an individual. The study aims to determine the prevalence of TDI and its association with various risk factors in preschool children in the state of Goa. The primary objective is to determine the prevalence of TDI in primary anterior teeth in preschool children in the state of Goa. The secondary objective is to determine the association of various risk factors with TDI in preschool children in the state of Goa.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among preschool children aged three to five years across the state of Goa. A total of 971 children were included in the study. Parents or guardians of participants who reported trauma answered an interview addressing the history of the injury. The anterior dental trauma and associated factors such as age, gender, time of injury, month of injury, place of injury, occlusal relationship, lip competence, oral habits, and ordinal position of the child were assessed and analyzed.Results: Out of the 971 children examined, TDI was reported in 157 (16.1%) children. Of these, 83 of 157 (52.8%) children had experienced TDI at home. Three-year-old children had the highest TDI prevalence of any age group, with 32 of 145 (22.0%) experiencing TDI. The most commonly affected tooth (100 of 233, 10.3%) was the primary maxillary right central incisor. Of the 233 traumatized teeth, 100 (42.9%) had code 2 injuries (enamel fractures only), which were the most frequently reported injuries. Mesio-incisal angle fracture was detected in 84 (34.3%) teeth affected with TDI. With respect to the number of teeth traumatized, 99 of 157 (63.0%) of children had a single tooth traumatized. Among all children who had sustained TDI, 103 (65.6%) were firstborns, 50 (31.8%) were secondborns, and four (2.5%) were thirdborn children. Only eight children received treatment, of which seven received medications and only one child received dental treatment. Parents being unaware of TDI was the main reason for not seeking treatment.Conclusions: This study highlights the critical need for educating parents and teachers about TDI prevention and the importance of prompt dental care. The findings offer valuable insights for formulating state- and national-level policies and preventive strategies for managing TDI.

ABSTRACTRecent excavations at the Phoenix area Hohokam sites of Grand Canal Ruins, Casa Buena, and La Ciudad yielded 163 non-cremated human skeletons representing both the pre-Classic and Classic periods. Several conditions associated with nutritional stress were observed in these remains including dental caries, wear and calculus formation, antemortem tooth loss, enamel hypoplasia, porotic hyperostosis, rickets, bladder stone disease and short stature. Some of these conditions reflect weaning and infectious disease stress occurring in childhood, rather than adult nutritional inadequacies. Only dental canes, wear and calculus formation, and antemortem tooth loss could be used to measure the effect of the Hohokam dietary regime on adults. The paleopathological evidence preserved in these remains does not appear to negate the idea that the Hohokam possessed a rich and varied diet as proposed by archaeobotanists, but does suggest nutritional irregularities occurring in early childhood.

Molecular biology has made considerable contributions to the study of human history from the earliest days of our species, when our ancestors began to walk on the savannah, to the dawn of civilization and the more recent history of mankind. The analysis of contemporary mitochondrial DNA, for example, has told us that Homo sapiens first appeared in Africa; the sequencing of the Neanderthal genome has revealed that Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis lived along each other and interbred before the latter disappeared; last year, the analysis of DNA extracted from a skeleton found under a parking lot in Leicester, UK, showed that it was the remains of King Richard III. Although the advent of next‐generation sequencing and advances in bioinformatics have boosted research using ancient DNA, a major hurdle has always been the quantity and quality of the DNA itself: DNA molecules quickly degrade over time into smaller fragments, and microbial contamination makes it challenging to identify human fragments within a sample. Intriguingly, teeth have proven to be an excellent source of high‐quality ancient DNA, yielding insights into the evolution of the human diet, disease and immunity since the onset of agriculture some 10,000 years ago. Dental calculus has been the most complete source of historical sequence data, especially for probing oral microbiome populations. At the same time, dental pulp—the connective tissue at the centre of teeth—has been an important source of information about ancient diseases. Archaeologist Keith Dobney, from the University of Aberdeen in the UK, and his colleagues first identified the potential of dental calculus as a source of information about past diets and microbial populations long before the advent of ancient DNA studies [1]. Now, almost 30 years later, Dobney is among those at the forefront of the revolution in ancient DNA analysis. “It appears that dental …

The Late Scythian sites are located in three regions of Ukraine: the Lower Dniester, the Lower Dnieper, and Crimea. Archaeological research has shown that the Late Scythian archaeological culture has Scythian, La Tиne, Graeco-Roman, and Sarmatian elements. Since the beginning of the 20th century, 17 hillforts and 3 necropolises of the Late Scythian culture have been discovered in the Lower Dnieper region. Previous anthropological research has provided insights into the morphological type of these people. However, there is a paucity of data concerning morbidity, trauma, and biological adaptation. The analysis of odontological materials through paleopathological methods enables the conclusions regarding the dietary habits, level of hygiene, and way of life of ancient populations. The paleopathological analysis comprised 106 individuals from the Chervony Mayak necropolis representing a period between the 2nd century BC and the 3rd century AD. The data indicate that tooth wear was not pathological in this population, with the highest rates observed among mature individuals. However, a differential analysis of the burials revealed that there were differences in this aspect between the various types of burials. In particular, the analysis of individuals buried in crypts revealed that the wear of the anterior teeth was more severe, indicating that these teeth were used for mastication, probably due to the loss of molars and premolars. In the pit and niche graves, the posterior teeth exhibited greater abrasion, which may indicate dietary differences between the two groups. Most cases of enamel chipping were observed on the anterior surface of the teeth, a finding that may also be associated with dietary factors, including the consumption of abrasive or harsher foods. The high incidence of dental calculus indicates a diet high in protein. Furthermore, the statistically significant correlation between caries and age suggests an increased consumption of carbohydrates in older individuals. However, compared to agricultural populations, the prevalence of caries is lower in this group, which may indicate a lower carbohydrate intake associated with a higher proportion of protein foods. The analysis also revealed a correlation between the type of burial structures and dental pathologies, suggesting dietary differences among different social groups. Individuals buried in crypts were likely to have consumed foods with higher calorie content, which may have resulted in higher levels of dental caries and calculus.

The article provides an analysis of the distribution of dental and maxillofacial conditions in a skeletal series from the Karasukperiod burial grounds Kyurgenner-1 and -2. The study aims to determine the dietary composition of the bearers of Karasuk traditions in the Minusinsk Basin, to assess the general level of population stress associated with food shortages, and to identify the specific features of their dietary adaptation in relation to their pastoral economic specialization, supplemented by hunting activities and possibly agriculture. The skeletal material was examined according to a program for recording dental conditions, which included the documentation of caries, dental calculus, antemortem enamel chipping, periodontal diseases, enamel hypoplasia, and antemortem tooth loss. The obtained data were compared with those of the aggregated Karasuk group using pairwise comparison and Pearson’s χ-square test. Furthermore, the frequency distribution of conditions was considered in the context of other Bronze Age populations from southwestern Siberia. The results show that, within the studied Karasuk population, there was no differentiation in the distribution of dietary resources among sex and age groups. The plant component in their diet was of very limited significance, and, based on archaeological evidence of the group’s pastoral specialization, it can be inferred that animal-derived products formed the core of their subsistence, while the inclusion of plant foods was not widespread. Moreover, the population did not face critical episodes related to food shortages. Comparison of distribution of dental conditions among groups with different economic patterns revealed that the Karasuk series from Kyurgener-1 and -2 shows the greatest similarity to the Okunevo group, which practiced pastoralism and hunting, as well as to the Late Bronze Age groups of southwestern Siberia characterized by mixed subsistence strategies.

Ships and boats form the foundations of the maritime connectivity that is a central part of our understanding of the ancient Mediterranean. While the general chronological sequence of sail and sailing-rig development is well established, the implications are less-well discussed. This article sets out how sails and sailing rigs developed in antiquity, with emphasis on the Greco-Roman world. Subsequently, instances of innovation are defined. Why specific pieces of maritime technology were, or were not, widely adopted is considered. Long-term technological continuity can be comprehended, and a shared maritime culture of sailing in the ancient Mediterranean is suggested.

ABSTRACTThe relationship between diet and oral health has long been explored in archaeology, with significant differences observed between populations with distinct subsistence strategies. This study examines the prevalence of dental caries, antemortem tooth loss (AMTL), periapical lesions, dental calculus, and occlusal wear in hunter‐gatherer and horticulturalist populations from the Lower Paraná wetland (southern La Plata Basin, Argentina). Our primary objective is to evaluate how dietary differences influenced oral health in these pre‐Columbian groups and contextualize the findings within broader pre‐Columbian trends from Argentina. The analyzed sample includes skeletal and dental remains from 178 hunter‐gatherers (26 sites) and 29 horticulturalists (3 sites), dated between &lt; 2000–500 and 700–300 14C years bp, respectively. Statistical comparisons employed chi‐square tests, Monte Carlo permutations, odds ratios, bootstrap tests, and generalized linear models. Wear rates were calculated using principal axis methods. Results indicate a significantly lower prevalence of dental caries in hunter‐gatherers (2%) compared to horticulturalists (8.8%), linked to lower carbohydrate intake. AMTL and occlusal wear were more frequent in hunter‐gatherers (AMTL = 4% vs. 0.8%), likely influenced by dietary abrasives and protein‐rich consumption. No statistical differences were found between populations in periapical lesions and dental calculus, suggesting multifactorial origins beyond diet alone. In contrast to expectations, male hunter‐gatherers exhibited higher caries (2% vs. 0.5%) and wear rates than females, potentially related to dietary habits or paramasticatory activities. These findings align with global trends, situating hunter‐gatherers among low‐caries/high‐wear populations and horticulturalists within mixed‐diet groups. This study contributes to understanding dietary impacts on oral health in pre‐Columbian South America, emphasizing the need for expanded samples to refine sex‐based and wear‐related interpretations.