Teeth used as a tool: Evidence of task-related dental modifications from an ancient cemetery at Saqqara, Egypt.

Iwona Kozieradzka-Ogunmakin; Roger G Christianson; Angela R Christainson

Abstract

Human dentition is a valuable source of information regarding age, diet and health. The anterior dentition can also be used to perform task-specific activities that require the assistance of ‘a third hand’. This non-alimentary use of the teeth produces distinctive non-intentional modifications that could provide a unique insight into the cultural behaviour of past populations. Dental remains of 92 sub-adult and adult individuals from an Old Kingdom (OK) and Ptolemaic Period (PP) cemetery in Saqqara, Egypt, were examined for non-alimentary use of the anterior dentition. The visual study of the specimens revealed evidence of linear grooving, notching, enamel trauma (chipping), as well as occlusal and lingual surface attrition (LSAMAT) in both males and females. The identified dental modifications were studied in relation to habitual and occupational task-specific activities.

Original language	English
Pages	122-123
Number of pages	2
Publication status	Published - 2011
Event	7th World Congress on Mummy Studies - University of San Diego, University of San Diego, United States Duration: 12 Jun 2011 → 16 Jun 2011 https://www.aaas.org/news/aaas-pacific-division-convene-joint-session-mummy-scholars-san-diego

Conference

Conference	7th World Congress on Mummy Studies
Country/Territory	United States
City	University of San Diego
Period	12/06/11 → 16/06/11
Internet address	https://www.aaas.org/news/aaas-pacific-division-convene-joint-session-mummy-scholars-san-diego

Keywords

non-alimentary tooth use, linear grooves, notches, enamel trauma (chipping), dental attrition, Saqqara, ancient Egypt

Cite this

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title = "Teeth used as a tool: Evidence of task-related dental modifications from an ancient cemetery at Saqqara, Egypt.",

abstract = "Human dentition is a valuable source of information regarding age, diet and health. The anterior dentition can also be used to perform task-specific activities that require the assistance of {\textquoteleft}a third hand{\textquoteright}. This non-alimentary use of the teeth produces distinctive non-intentional modifications that could provide a unique insight into the cultural behaviour of past populations. Dental remains of 92 sub-adult and adult individuals from an Old Kingdom (OK) and Ptolemaic Period (PP) cemetery in Saqqara, Egypt, were examined for non-alimentary use of the anterior dentition. The visual study of the specimens revealed evidence of linear grooving, notching, enamel trauma (chipping), as well as occlusal and lingual surface attrition (LSAMAT) in both males and females. The identified dental modifications were studied in relation to habitual and occupational task-specific activities.",

keywords = "non-alimentary tooth use, linear grooves, notches, enamel trauma (chipping), dental attrition, Saqqara, ancient Egypt",

author = "Iwona Kozieradzka-Ogunmakin and Christianson, {Roger G} and Christainson, {Angela R}",

year = "2011",

language = "English",

pages = "122--123",

note = "7th World Congress on Mummy Studies ; Conference date: 12-06-2011 Through 16-06-2011",

url = "https://www.aaas.org/news/aaas-pacific-division-convene-joint-session-mummy-scholars-san-diego",

}

Teeth used as a tool: Evidence of task-related dental modifications from an ancient cemetery at Saqqara, Egypt. / Kozieradzka-Ogunmakin, Iwona; Christianson, Roger G (Editor); Christainson, Angela R (Editor).
2011. 122-123 Abstract from 7th World Congress on Mummy Studies, University of San Diego, United States.

Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review

TY - CONF

T1 - Teeth used as a tool: Evidence of task-related dental modifications from an ancient cemetery at Saqqara, Egypt.

AU - Kozieradzka-Ogunmakin, Iwona

A2 - Christianson, Roger G

A2 - Christainson, Angela R

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - Human dentition is a valuable source of information regarding age, diet and health. The anterior dentition can also be used to perform task-specific activities that require the assistance of ‘a third hand’. This non-alimentary use of the teeth produces distinctive non-intentional modifications that could provide a unique insight into the cultural behaviour of past populations. Dental remains of 92 sub-adult and adult individuals from an Old Kingdom (OK) and Ptolemaic Period (PP) cemetery in Saqqara, Egypt, were examined for non-alimentary use of the anterior dentition. The visual study of the specimens revealed evidence of linear grooving, notching, enamel trauma (chipping), as well as occlusal and lingual surface attrition (LSAMAT) in both males and females. The identified dental modifications were studied in relation to habitual and occupational task-specific activities.

AB - Human dentition is a valuable source of information regarding age, diet and health. The anterior dentition can also be used to perform task-specific activities that require the assistance of ‘a third hand’. This non-alimentary use of the teeth produces distinctive non-intentional modifications that could provide a unique insight into the cultural behaviour of past populations. Dental remains of 92 sub-adult and adult individuals from an Old Kingdom (OK) and Ptolemaic Period (PP) cemetery in Saqqara, Egypt, were examined for non-alimentary use of the anterior dentition. The visual study of the specimens revealed evidence of linear grooving, notching, enamel trauma (chipping), as well as occlusal and lingual surface attrition (LSAMAT) in both males and females. The identified dental modifications were studied in relation to habitual and occupational task-specific activities.

KW - non-alimentary tooth use, linear grooves, notches, enamel trauma (chipping), dental attrition, Saqqara, ancient Egypt

M3 - Abstract

SP - 122

EP - 123

T2 - 7th World Congress on Mummy Studies

Y2 - 12 June 2011 through 16 June 2011

ER -

Teeth used as a tool: Evidence of task-related dental modifications from an ancient cemetery at Saqqara, Egypt.

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

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Cite this