Tooth Ablation in Early Neolithic Skeletons from Taiwan

This chapter documents tooth ablation in early Neolithic skeletons (ca. 5000–4200 BP) from the Nankuanli East (NKLE) site in southwestern Taiwan and makes comparisons to Iron Age skeletons (1800–500 BP) from Shihsanhang (SSH) in northwest Taiwan and other groups from Taiwan and surrounding regions. The most common pattern of tooth ablation in the NKLE skeletons is symmetrical removal of the upper lateral incisors and canines in adult males and females. No ablation was observed among the Iron Age skeletons from Taiwan. The manner and timing of tooth removal, a possible marker of cultural/kinship identity, and its absence in the SSH teeth are discussed. The pattern of tooth ablation observed in the NKLE skeletons is rare in other regions surveyed. Studies of skeletons from Mainland China help identify the possible origin of the pattern of dental modification observed in Taiwan’s earliest Neolithic inhabitants.

Dental Modifications of Anterior Teeth in the Danish Viking Age

Inspired by previous finds of filed, likely ornamental grooves on upper incisors of Swedish and Danish male Vikings, a Viking sample from Denmark (ca. AD 800–1050) was studied (M=69, F=45, 90=?). We found evidence of modifications that could be distinguished from normal wear and linear enamel hypoplasia. In 24 individuals single or multiple filed horizontal grooves occurred on labial surfaces of the central upper incisors and some lateral incisors (22/159 or 13.8 percent). All grooves were inconspicuous and shallow, and other unrelated worn labial facets were found. This occurrence is unlike the grooves in male Swedish Vikings. The variation observed, as well as experiments with iron files and whetstones, leads us to suggest that the Danish Viking grooves could be made intentionally but more often developed as a result of task activities.

Dental Modification and the Expansion and Manipulation of Mesoamerican Identity into Northwest Mexico

This chapter characterizes dental modification in a skeletal sample dating to the Middle (A.D. 500–1200) and Late Ceramic (A.D. 1200–1600) periods from Sonora, Mexico. Fifteen individuals from El Cementerio display dental modification including ablation and tooth filing. Dental modification may be a biocultural trait that spread from Mesoamerica along the West Mexican coast around A.D. 1000. El Cementerio represents the furthest northern expanse of this practice within Mexico, but the site is completely devoid of material evidence for Mesoamerican influence. The site may be a regional center for a settlement system stretching the middle Rio Yaqui. Some residents, influenced by trading partners along the coast, appear to have adopted dental modification (and cranial modification) as a way to manipulate their identity to visibly connect to more influential groups along the West Mexican coast and support the management of status within the middle Rio Yaqui area.

Intentional Dental Modification and Oral-Dental Health in Western Micronesia

Intentional dental modification was observed in Pre-Latte and Latte Period bioarchaeological samples from western Micronesia. These purposeful cultural alterations include multilinear incisions and horizontal abrading of labial tooth surfaces in the Mariana Islands and tooth blackening in Palau. To understand the biological impacts of intentional modification, over ten pre-European Contact (before AD 1521) dental samples from the Mariana Islands were examined to test for a correlation between intentionally modified teeth and two indicators of oral-dental health: caries and periapical abscesses. Although differences in data collection methods and poor bone preservation prevented the use of both indicators across the board, preliminary results indicate that horizontal abrading in at least one sample appears to be associated with carious lesions while dental incising is not.

Tooth Filing in Surabayan Javanese and Balinese

This chapter discusses the practice and symbolism of teeth filing in the Javanese and Balinese of Indonesia. Although deliberate modification of the dentition has been documented in human groups worldwide including Indonesia, little has been written about these cultural practices in Java and Bali. Dental filing was the most common form of modification. Examination of both skulls and living Balinese and Javanese in Surabaya, and interviews of the latter, reveal that the practice is still observed by Balinese, but not the Surabayan Javanese. Tooth filing by some Balinese today is not practiced to the same extent as in the past. A cultural change in the degree of tooth filing over time is based on recent changes in how beautiful and healthy teeth are perceived.

The Relationship between Intentional Dental Ablation and Hereditary Agenesis in Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age China

Dental ablation is a rare occurrence in ancient China. While previous studies have looked at cultural reasons for this practice this study examines possible biological causes for intentional tooth removal. Could a hereditary dental anomaly have been the original source for a cultural marker? The dentitions from 243 individuals were examined, representing five late Neolithic archaeological cultures. Each individual was scored for evidence of dental ablation, dental agenesis, and supernumerary teeth. Patterns of dental agenesis did not match regions with dental ablation. The one distinguishing trait among the Dawenkou was a higher frequency of supernumerary teeth. In conclusion, the Dawenkou sample had some biologically distinguishing features in their dentition, but their relationship with dental ablation is not supported.

The Chronology and Significance of Ablation in the Later Stone Age Maghreb

This chapter described the earliest evidence of the systematic practice of ablation. Purposeful removal of the upper central incisors became a widespread practice with the Iberomaurusian of the Later Stone Age in the Maghreb region—the area of current-day northern Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. During the Capsian times, ablation became less prevalent, but in some cases all incisors and canines were removed. During the Neolithic period the practice became even less frequent and in some areas disappeared completely. Nevertheless, in some regions of North Africa ablation remained common and may have been a way of identifying certain tribes or individuals within society. This chapter also considers possible causes for the origin of the practice.

Out of Regard to Custom

This overview of the volume’s chapters focuses on intentional modifications of teeth, specifically alterations of crown shape or removal, as known from historical and ethnographic sources, archaeological studies, and observations of contemporary peoples. Anterior teeth, a highly visible aspect of a person’s appearance, were altered for different reasons by past and present peoples. While purposeful modifications of the dentition are of principal interest, they must be distinguished from features that can mimic them, including use wear, pathological features, and decay or trauma-related tooth loss.

Tooth Ablation along the Murray River in Southeastern Australia

Tooth ablation has a long history among Australian Aborigines. Here we present a study of four groups along a 370km stretch of the Murray River in southeastern Australia. The frequency and patterning are examined with respect to the individual’s sex, population, and tooth type. Within the study area, ablation is nine times more common among men than women (27 percent versus 5 percent). Although the samples are from cemeteries, there is no chronological control and from other evidence the remains probably date to the later Holocene. Larger regional linguistic and cultural groupings appear to be important indicators for ablation patterning, particularly differences between women upstream (7 percent) and downstream (absent). The tooth or teeth removed varies between groups and most combinations were seen, although ablation of a central incisor was the most common.

Use of Stable Isotope Analysis to Reveal Relationships between Diet and Tooth Ablation Types in Jomon Period Japan

This chapter discusses the practice of ritual tooth ablation in Japan in relation to diet and migration. Ablation was practiced extensively among hunter-gatherers, and the tradition typically followed one of two patterns, type 4I and type 2C, depending on whether the lower incisors or canines were extracted, respectively. To test the hypothesis that a dependence on marine resources for food differed depending on ablation type during childhood and adulthood, stable isotope ratios of bone collagen and tooth enamel were measured. It was discovered that diets did vary among individuals with different ablation types in the Inariyama population. The findings provide important evidence that biocultural dietary differences were related to ablation type in the Jomon period.