Dentition on Bahrain, 2000 B.C.

Abstract

Teeth and jaws excavated from 25 burial mounds on the island of Bahrain were examiBed. Dating; 2000 B.C. The number of individuals, buried was estimated from the dentition. An approximate determination of the age for death was attempted. Non-metric and metric traits ofthe teeth were observed. The teeth showed Caucasoid but no Mongoloid traits. They were small, worn al an early age, -with a great deal of carious lesions, no multiple fractures, only a little calculus and alveoloclasia but frequent enamel hypoplasia. The m.andibTies. showed ine healing after the widespread antemortem loss of molars,, possibly extracted due to the consequence of caries, caused by the consumption of many carbohydrates.

The microscopic (optical and SEM) examination of dental calculus deposits (DCD). Potential interest in forensic anthropology of a bio-archaeological method

“…Dental calculus was found particularly frequent in a population of the Bronze Age (2000 years B.C.) in Bahrain [23] and in a population of breeder-farmer-fishermen of Umm an-Nar (Abu-Dhabi) [24]; within a collection of almost 11,000 teeth coming from Harappa (Pakistan), a contemporary site, 6.8% of the teeth were decayed with almost generalized layers of calculus deposits [25]. The systematic odontological study of 12 skeletal collections dated from the Bronze Age (3000 years B.C.)…”

The Dilmun Bioarchaeology Project: a first look at the Peter B. Cornwall Collection at the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology

“…Like other prehistoric burials (Littleton 1995; Maat 1993), the negative impact of physical and biological taphonomic agents on skeletal preservation has been significant, although 12‐10156’s relative completeness is a welcome exception. Nevertheless, as abundantly demonstrated by existing bioarchaeological research in Bahrain (Frohlich 1986; Højgaard 1980; 1986; Littleton 1998; 2003; 2007; Littleton & Frohlich 1989; 1993), as well as in the United Arab Emirates (Alt et al 1995; Blau 2001; 2007; Cope et al 2005; Martin 2007), Kuwait (Maat 1993; Maat, Lonnee & Noordhuizen 1990), and Oman (Kunter 1981; 1999; 2001; Macchiarelli 1989; Nelson, Lukacs & Yule 1999), the knowledge gained by research on fragmentary human remains — in terms of health and disease, nutrition and subsistence practices, biodistance, activity patterns, gender and identity — is well worth the challenges. These regional data will expand the database to which the DBP’s findings may be compared, both quantitatively (i.e.…”