Migration and Interaction in the Epiclassic of the Tula Region: Preliminary Data as Evidenced by Dental Non-Metric Analysis

Summary

Dental non-metric data provide a means for the analysis of genetic affinities and relationships of individuals, and can therefore be used to reconstruct past migration and interaction patterns, both within and between sites. The dental traits of sixteen individuals, along with 21 individual teeth, from Cerro Magoni, an Epiclassic site in the Tula region, were collected in this preliminary analysis. Additionally, 13 individuals from two Xajay sites, El Zethe and Huesamenta, were also assessed. The collected traits are previously defined dental non-metric traits of the deciduous (n=8) and permanent (n=29) teeth. Teeth are ideal for this type of assessment as they are more likely to be preserved and are under tighter genetic control than the cranium or postcranium, and are less prone to environmentally induced variation. Multivariate analysis of principal components (PCA), following Irish and Guatelli-Steinberg (2003), provides the clearest picture of genetic relatedness, or lack thereof, among the individuals/sites in this study. In addition to the non-metric analysis, data on the dental health of the individuals will also be presented. Very little evidence of stress-related dental enamel hypoplasis was present, but several individuals suffered from significant periodontal abscesses. Evidence suggesting extra-masticatory activities involving the teeth was also common.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Tula Region Interaction and Migration Project (TRIMP): Year 1   •
• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17249