The morphological diversity of the inner anatomy of root canals in human permanent teeth is an issue mainly described in endodontics research. In recent years, it is a relatively new point in anthropological studies because it varies by sex, geographic and ethnic circumstances. An unusual number of root canals or their specific systems can differentiate populations around the world. The multiplicity of available methods for detecting root canal systems helps to better understand their complexity; however, most cannot be applied to anthropology due to limitations that occur in the bioarcheological material. Thorough knowledge of the heterogeneity and internal anatomy of the root canals supplies numerous classification systems proposed and improved over the years by many authors. A limited number of studies in the anthropological literature and future research will shed light onto the internal tooth morphology in historical populations. The aim of this paper is to describe various classification systems of root canals applied in endodontics. However, due to the often poor state of preservation and damage of archaeological derived remains, it seems that the best method is the approach that is the simplest and least complicated.

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Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the number of root canals in maxillary first premolars, first molars and mandibular first molar teeth from an 18 th to 19 th century Radom (Poland) population, and then assess whether the diversity of root canals has fluctuated for about two hundred years. Materials and methods: A total of 139 human permanent teeth were analysed by cone beam computed tomography in three projections. The types of root canal systems were classified in each tooth root separately. Results: In one-rooted maxillary premolars, two canals occurred most often (53%). In two-rooted majority buccal (91%) and every palatal roots there is one canal. All three-rooted maxillary premolars have one root canal. In two-rooted first maxillary molars, fused roots have two canals. All mesiobuccal roots presented type 2-1 canal configurations. In three-rooted maxillary first molars in the mesiobuccal roots the most common root canal type is 2-1 (72%). A second mesiobuccal canal occurred in 86%. The distobuccal and palatal roots presented one canal in all cases. First mandibular molars occurred in two-rooted form in 98%. In mesial roots, two root canals predominated (59%). Most distal root (66%) had one canal. In three-rooted teeth one root canal was the most frequent finding. Conclusions: Knowledge about the variation in root canals is important in studies of past populations. This evidence may be important in relation to assessing the variability of human populations. The analysis carried out show the cohesion between the historical population of Radom and other groups from modern Poland.

The morphological and anatomical structure of the roots and root canals of human dentition is very diverse. This means that tooth morphology can effectively differentiate populations and be used in both contemporary and historical research populations. The aim of the study was to investigate whether historical populations from the Middle East showed variation in the number of tooth roots and the morphology of canal systems.The tooth material used for the research was obtained from three sites: Terqa, Tell Masaikh, and Jabel Mashtale (Syria) during archaeological expeditions. The odontological material has been divided into three historical periods: Bronze (2,650-1700 BC), late Roman (200-500 AD) with Islamic (600-1,200 AD), and Modern (1850-1950. The teeth of 31 individuals of both sexes were collected for analysis, with a total of 73 teeth examined. The subjects underwent cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis.The greatest variation in the number of roots and root canal configurations occurred in the Late Roman and Islamic periods. In addition to the typical number of tooth roots and their characteristic root canal configurations, the presence of less typical morphological forms was noticed in each type of tooth analyzed during this period.This may indicate the influx of new genes and their mixing with local ones, which was reflected in the morphological variability.The presented studies, although they must be continued, already indicate that the analysis of root and canal variability broadens the spectrum of odontological studies conducted on historical populations.

The present work analyses the bone material unearthed at the graveyard of St Peter the Little’s Church in Garbary. The study is based on research from the years 1978 and 2012. A total of 111 skeletons were analysed, all of them of medium condition, dating back to the modern period. The material’s diversity level was verified by biological distance assessment. Ward’s method was used for selected measurement features of the neurocranium and the facial skeleton. Sex and age were established simultaneously by means of methods commonly applied in anthropology. The assessment was based on the morphology of the skull and pelvic bones as well as the deciduous and permanent teeth eruption sequence. Cranial measurements and indices were subjected to analysis. Osteometric data provided the basis for an analysis of long bone symmetry, limb length and proportions and bone massiveness indices. A multi-planar reconstruction of individuals’ stature was performed by means of regression formulas developed by various authors. Sexual dimorphism index served indirectly as a measurement of the living conditions of individuals in the population, whereas an analysis of muscular and skeletal stress markers on bones allowed us to evaluate build types. Calculated life expectancy table parameters were used to recreate e.g. individuals’ lifespans and life expectancy structure (by age at death) characteristic of historical populations of Krakow.