New York African Burial Ground Skeletal Biology Final Report, Volume 1. Chapter 9. Odontological Indicators of Disease, Diet and Nutrition Inadequacy

Summary

The dentition is usually the best-preserved element of the skeleton. Hydroxyapatite, an inorganic calcium matrix, comprises approximately 97 percent of the chemical composition of enamel (Carlson, 1990). This crystalline structure makes dental enamel hard and dense and useful to resist the abrasive nature of mastication. Also, as a result of their hardness, teeth are often all that remains of a long-deceased individual. The abundant presence of dentition in archaeological contexts has led to the intensive exploitation of teeth for information about the past. Chapters 8 and 6 of this report have addressed the systemic effects of nutrition in dental development and of ecosystem relationships that changed dental chemistry, respectively. In addition, the relative presence or absence of pathological conditions, such as tooth loss, caries (cavities from dental decay) and associated abscesses of the alveolar bone surrounding the dental root and cervix also provide evidence of the general level of biological well-being and accessibility of dental care, as well as biological effects of foods commonly eaten.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• New York African Burial Ground Skeletal Biology Final Report, Volume 1

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 1640 to 1800

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Prepared By(s): National Park Serivce

Submitted To(s): General Services Administration Northeastern and Caribbean Region

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