Buccal Dental Microwear and Diet of the Sunghir Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

Abstract

Buccal microwear analysis o f the deciduous molars o f Sunghir 3 provides a moderate density o f striations and suggests a mixed diet. The permanent teeth o f Sunghir 1 to 3 present a low density o f microwear, in agreement with the minimal occlusal wear o f Sunghir 2 but in contrast with the more advanced wear o f Sunghir 1 and 3. The Sunghir 1 and 2 scratches imply mixed diets; those o f Sunghir 3 suggest a more carnivorous one. These results are in agreement with bone chemistry and stable isotope data and with the resources likely present near Sunghir.

Pre-Columbian Dental Modifications in Costa Rica: A Study of Three Archaeological Sites

“…Regarding the dental modifications found, besides the teeth with clear dental works, there were ten suspicious findings but they were excluded due to different reasons such as mechanical or chemical dental wear (18)(19) fractures, time damage and sand or mineral deposits around them (Figure 4.b).…”

“…In Costa Rica, just a few ceramic jars had been found with clear dental modifications repre-senting type A1 (27). Further efforts must be developed to increase the knowledge of pre-Columbian dental work, employing current technological advances (9,19,28).…”