Maya Dental Modifications: Insights from Ka’Kabish, Belize

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

This research investigated the intentionally modified dentition found within chultuns at the Maya site of Ka’kabish, Belize. The site has a history spanning from the Middle Formative (800–600 BC) to the Postclassic (900–1500 AD) periods. The primary aim of this research was to closely examine the modified dentition, evaluate any dental pathologies present, and contextualize the sample in relation to the mortuary context from which the remains were excavated. In conducting this research, we worked to gain a deeper understanding of the potential sociocultural and biocultural factors that may have influenced the observed trends in dental modification seen at Ka’kabish. Further, this research contributes to growing body of literature that seeks to determine whether dental modification was a practice confined to specific individuals of particular social class or status. Additionally, it seeks to ascertain whether dental modification had any impact on overall dental health and whether the observed trends in dental modification at Ka’kabish differ from those at other sites, locally, regionally, and globally. Through the execution of this research, a more comprehensive understanding of how sociocultural and biocultural elements shaped dental modification trends and why populations engaged in these practices at Ka’kabish may be achieved.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 40444.0