As humans, many of us find ourselves interesting in our ancestry and who we came from. A lot of what we know today stems from what archaeologists have been able to understand from teeth. In fact, teeth can tell scientists all sorts of information, painting an insightful picture. Continue reading to learn more about the mysteries that our ancestors’ teeth have helped us solve.
Dietary Trends
Teeth that have excavated from archaeology sites around the world have given scientists much insight into dietary trends of civilizations from the past. When teeth are marked and worn in certain areas, the types of foods they were likely to be eating can be determined. For example, if there are cavities in specific teeth, it may indicate that agricultural crops have been incorporated into diet. This is because dental issues became more prominent as we began to farm.
Age
By examining the teeth, scientists came make a more accurate estimation of how old individuals were at the time of their death. The size, shape, growth, and placement of teeth in the skull all help them do that. Depending on the condition the each tooth is in, dental archaeologists can accurately predict if the tooth came from a toddler, child, teeth, or adult. Wear and tear of the teeth can help to determine the age of adults. For instance, if an individual has a high prevalence or tooth decay and overall wear, this likely means that they were an older adult.
Migration
Did you know the DNA can be extracted from teeth and bones long after the rest of the body has broken down and decayed. This process helps us to identify genetics of specific remains and assists anthropologists with tracing human remains to different areas of the world. If DNA that has been extracted from a tooth is linked genetically to another person in a different time period and place, scientists can better determine immigration patterns throughout history.
Improving Dental Health Today
By learning from the teeth of our ancestors, scientists can continue to learn more about our past, creating better technology for dentistry today and going forward. Teeth have played a huge role throughout human history, and we will continue to learn more!
Teeth share incredible, detailed stories about our past as humans. As we continue to find and study ancient teeth, we will continue to learn more about our species and our history!
About the Author
Dr. Sikander Singh earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Since then, he has received further advanced training in all aspects of dentistry. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Pennsylvania Dental Association, and the York County Dental Society. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (717) 755-4143.
