EXPLORATORY MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF TOOTH CALCULUS FROM BYZANTINE PETRAS, CRETE

Summary

Examination of the contents of human tooth tartar from a Byzantine cemetery in Petras

was undertaken to identify any pollen, phytoliths, starch granules, plant cells, hair, and other

remains recovered. Human tooth tartar forms more or less continuously on teeth and

encapsulates debris in the mouth. Therefore, particles of food, such as starch granules,

phytoliths, or calcium oxalate bodies might be trapped by this process. Recovery and

identification of remains in tooth calculus from four individuals from a Byzantine cemetery in

Petras provides the opportunity to evaluate the usefulness of this technique for this geographic

area.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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