The embodiment of craft production in Bronze Age Portugal: Exceptional dental wear grooves in an individual from Monte do Vale do Ouro 2 (Ferreira do Alentejo, Portugal)

Abstract

Two human lateral mandibular incisors exhibiting exceptional dental wear in the form of lingual surface grooves along the cementoenamel junction were recovered from the superficial levels of a pit grave attributed to the Bronze Age at the archaeological site of Monte do Vale do Ouro 2 (Ferreira do Alentejo, Beja, Portugal). Although a number of analyses of dental wear features acknowledge the relatively common use of the dentition for nondietary purposes (using the ‘teeth as tools’) during the Early/Middle Bronze Age (2200–1200 BC) of southwest Iberia, the form of dental wear documented at Monte do Vale do Ouro 2 is not only a novel finding in this region but also has seldom been described in any bioarchaeological context. The present study provides a macroscopic and low‐magnification description of the atypical dental wear for this individual. Results indicate that the incisors are likely antimeres. In addition to the deep lingual grooves, asymmetrical wear removed a substantial portion of the laterolingual crown volume of each tooth. Occlusal and lingual surface wear accumulated slowly enough for tertiary dentin to form. An occlusal groove is also present on the right I2. A review of ethnohistoric and bioarchaeological literature suggests that some form of craft production involving the manipulation of cordage or fibre with the mouth and teeth can account for the unique wear patterns from Monte do Vale do Ouro 2. The hand‐spinning of flax requires wetting which can be accomplished by passing flax fibres through the mouth in a mediolateral direction while using a hand spindle. Similar habitual behaviours were probably practiced by the Bronze Age individual from Monte do Vale do Ouro 2. The wear grooves represent the embodiment of aspects of craft production and maintenance activities that occurred during this individual's lifecourse.

New Insight into Prehistoric Craft Specialisation. Tooth-Tool Use in the Chalcolithic Burial Site of Camino Del Molino, Murcia, SE Spain

“…The macroscopic appearance of these marks is very similar to that observed in CMOL, although in some dental pieces the interproximal grooves are larger and deeper, which could indicate the use of thicker materials, such as tendons, leather, or wool (Lozano et al, 2021;Rubio, 2021), as opposed to the use of finer plant fibres, which was widespread in CMOL. Other related evidence has been identified in prehistoric series from Poland (Lorkiewicz, 2011), Syria (Molleston, 2016), Pakistan (Lukacs and Pastor, 1988), Italy (Sperduti et al, 2018), Germany (Alt and Pichler,1998) and Portugal (Fidalgo et al, 2020;Willman et al, 2021). This practice is also found in historical times, such as in medieval Nordic (Scott and Jolie, 2008), British (Cruwys et al, 1992), Anatolian (Erdal, 2008), or Italian (Monaco et al, 2022;Trombley et al, 2018) osteological collections.…”

More than they could chew: Activity‐induced dental modifications in a Portuguese medieval–modern rural population

“…In the analyzed sample, an "anterior-dominant" occlusal wear and chipping patterns were recorded. Thus, extra-masticatory activities related to crafting were hypothesized (e.g., chewing of unknown substances, leather softening, toolmaking and repairing, or weaving) (Scott & Jolie, 2008;Silva et al, 2016;Willman et al, 2021). DMs affected 11.0% of the overall sample (130/1185).…”

“…In contemporary and historical contexts, notches and grooves have been linked to occupational activities like tailoring, carpentry, or shoemaking, and individual habits like pipe smoking and cracking and chewing of dried seeds (Bonfiglioli et al, 2004; Carvalho & Wasterlain, 2017; Fidalgo et al, 2020; Silva et al, 2016). Ethnographic and historical sources have associated several activities to dental grooves, namely, processing plant fibers (e.g., woolen yarn and silk thread) for weaving mats and clothing, basketry, and net making; processing sinews (for cord and thread); or holding objects in the mouth (e.g., fishing nets, bow drills, tow lines, nails, and pins) (Erdal, 2008; Lozano et al, 2022; Rodrigues et al, 2021; Scott & Jolie, 2008; Willman et al, 2021 ).…”

Early evidence of extra‐masticatory dental wear in a Neolithic community at Bestansur, Iraqi Kurdistan

“…Notches indicate the repeated use of the anterior teeth, and there are individuals with notched upper and lower teeth. Both occlusal grooves and notches are thought to be caused by processing fibrous materials that are pulled through the teeth (Willman et al, 2021 ). This could be for making baskets (Larsen, 1985 ), reed mats (Minozzi et al, 2003 ; Molleson, 1994 ), nets or ropes (Schulz, 1977 ), working sinew (Waters‐Rist et al, 2010 ), or wool fibers (Lozano et al, 2021 ).…”