About this Research Topic
Dental pathologies are a valuable source of information about human dietary habits and overall health throughout history. Methods developed within the fields of paleo-dentistry and bioanthropology are used to identify and document the oral status of prehistoric and historic human populations. Dental parameters such as macro/micro wear are also used to infer the overall diet of individuals. These, applied in combination with methods used in paleodietary reconstructions, such as isotopic, genetic, and proteomic data, contribute to a more thorough understanding of dietary habits associated with oral disease in the past. In particular, dental calculus analysis (DCA) including microscopy, aDNA and ancient proteomics, is an incredibly informative tool to explore both ancient diet and shifts of the oral microbiome. Recently, there has also been an increased interest in the micronutrient contents of enamel and dentin as they can provide critical insights into the dietary patterns and intrinsic health of individuals across different timeframes. Studies revealing micronutrient evolution and their possible changes in response to various environmental and dietary factors are highly relevant.
The study of ancient and historical dental remains offers insights into oral pathologies, nutrition, para-masticatory activities, and stressful events. Dental calculus deposits are particularly significant, providing snapshots of past oral environments and holding immense potential for reconstructing evolutionary shifts in the oral microbiome and dietary habits. Furthermore, studying the epidemiological traits of oral diseases in the past helps unravel the intricate relationship involving environmental, behavioral, and strictly biological determinants underlying the onset and progression of such diseases.
This special issue will welcome contributions where the aforementioned methods are applied alone or in combination. Case studies covering various chronologies and geographical locations are welcome and an evolutionary perspective is particularly appreciated.
Contributions from the fields of anthropology, archaeology, paleodentistry, and paleopathology will be welcome. All manuscript types where the aforementioned methods are applied alone or in combination are accepted.
The study of ancient and historical dental remains offers insights into oral pathologies, nutrition, para-masticatory activities, and stressful events. Dental calculus deposits are particularly significant, providing snapshots of past oral environments and holding immense potential for reconstructing evolutionary shifts in the oral microbiome and dietary habits. Furthermore, studying the epidemiological traits of oral diseases in the past helps unravel the intricate relationship involving environmental, behavioral, and strictly biological determinants underlying the onset and progression of such diseases.
This special issue will welcome contributions where the aforementioned methods are applied alone or in combination. Case studies covering various chronologies and geographical locations are welcome and an evolutionary perspective is particularly appreciated.
Contributions from the fields of anthropology, archaeology, paleodentistry, and paleopathology will be welcome. All manuscript types where the aforementioned methods are applied alone or in combination are accepted.
Keywords: dental paleopathology, ancient diet, paleodentistry, anthropology, dental calculus, bioanthropology, dentin analysis, enamel analysis, micronutrient content, human diet history, proteomics, dental wear patterns
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