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Research Article
Gradients of occlusal wear in hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists
Article first published online: 4 SEP 2008
DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.20922
Copyright © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
1096-8644/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=c25957633aab6b6ac1922fea9d9a5103f0357fec "American Journal of Physical Anthropology")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Deter, C. A. (2009), Gradients of occlusal wear in hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 138: 247–254. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.20922
Publication History
- Issue published online: 29 JAN 2009
- Article first published online: 4 SEP 2008
- Manuscript Accepted: 12 JUN 2008
- Manuscript Received: 14 FEB 2007
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- dental eruption sequence;
- diet;
- behavior;
- wear
Abstract
Occlusal wear was recorded in maxillary teeth from three North American late Archaic (3385 ± 365 cal BC) hunter-gatherer sites (n = 306) and late Anasazi-early Zuni agricultural sites (∼1300 AD) (n = 87). Comparisons were undertaken using descriptive and inferential statistics to determine differences between these groups, and along the maxillary tooth row. The hunter-gatherers had a significantly greater percentage of occlusal wear than the agriculturalists. For both hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists, occlusal wear was greatest on the central incisors and first molars. The third molars had the least amount of wear. It was inferred from these results that the hunter-gatherers had a more abrasive diet, and different daily task activities compared to the agriculturalists. One further finding was that wear patterns on anterior and posterior teeth are influenced by the order that teeth erupt into the jaw, as well as diet and behavior. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.