Original scientific paper
Human Molar Crown Traits in Croatian Medieval and Contemporary Populations
Inda Gauta
; Private dental practice, Zadar, Croatia
Melita A. Vazdar
; Private dental practice, Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Vodanović
; Department of Dental Anthropology, School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Bones and teeth represent an exceptionally valuable and useful source of information for bioarchaeological research, since they may remain unaltered for a long period of time. The morphological characteristics of teeth are often used to explain certain historical problems which are the focus of interest in anthropological research. Purpose: the aim of this study was to compare morphological particularities of human molar crown traits in Croatian medieval and contemporary populations. Materials and methods: This research was conducted on 252 human molars, both of archeological (172) and of recent (80) origin. Upper molars were studied to determine the frequency of occurrence of: metaconus, hypoconus, metaconulus, parastyle and Carabelli’s trait. Lower molars were studied to register the frequency of occurrence of: anterior fovea, mid trigonid crest, groove pattern, deflecting wrinkle, molar cusp number, protostylid, distal accessory ridge, cusp 5, cusp 6 and cusp 7. Each morphological feature’s degree of expression was classified according to Arizona State University Dental Anthropological System. Statistically significant differences were established through analysis and comparison of these teeth of archeological and recent origin. Results: on the upper molars there were differences in the frequency of the occurrence of the hypoconus and metaconulus. On the lower molars there were differences in the frequency of the occurrence of the, anterior fovea and 5th cusp. Conclusion: these differences can’t be simply explained by wear, since the teeth selected for research all displayed a low degree of abrasion. Additional explanation should be sought among available historical and archeological data, since the medieval period was marked by numerous wars and population migration.
Keywords
Paleodontology; Molar; Tooth Crown; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
48894
URI
Publication date:
15.3.2010.
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