Dental Anthropology G. RICHARD SCO-TT University of Alaska, Fairbanks 1. The Human Dentition II. Dental Phenetics and Phylogeny: Inferring History from Teeth 111. The Environmental Interface: Teeth and Behavior IV. Dental Indicators of Environmental Stress GLOSSARY Antimere Corresponding teeth in the left and right sides of a jaw (e.g., left and right upper first molars) Carabelli's trait Morphological character derived from cin- gulum of mesiolingual cusp of upper molars Cingulum Bulge or shelf passing around the base of the tooth crown Cusp Pointed or rounded elevation on the occlusal (chew- ing) surface of a tooth crown Isomere Corresponding teeth in the upper and lower jaws (e.g., left upper and lower first molars) Labret Ornament worn in and projecting from a hole(s) pierced through the upper and lower lips and cheeks Phenetics Classificatory method for adducing relationships among populations on the basis of phenotypic similarities Quadrant One half of the upper or lower dentition Shoveling Mesial and distal marginal ridges enclosing a central fossa on the lingual surface of the incisors DENTAL ANTHROPOLOGY IS A FIELD OF INQUIRY that utilizes information obtained from the teeth of either skeletal or modern human populations to re- solve anthropological problems. Given their nature and function, teeth are used to address several kinds of questions. First, teeth exhibit variables with a strong hereditary component that are useful in assessing pop- ulation relationships and evolutionary dynamics. Given their role in chewing food, dental pathologies and patterns of tooth wear can indicate kinds of food eaten and other aspects of dietary behavior, including food preparation techniques. Teeth can also exhibit incidental or intentional modifications, which reflect patterns of cultural behavior. Finally, as the process of tooth formation is highly canalized (i.e., buffered from environmental perturbations), developmental defects provide a general measure of environmental stress on a population. Researchers in several disci- plines, including physical anthropology, archeology, paleontology, dentistry, genetics, embryology, and forensic science, conduct research that falls direct- ly or indirectly within the province of dental anthro- pology. 1. THE HUMAN DENTITION A. Terms and Concepts A tooth has two externally visible components, crown and root, and is made up of three distinct hard tissues, enamel, dentine, and cementum, and one soft tissue, the pulp, which provides the blood and nerve supply to the crown and root. Teeth are anchored in the bony alveoli of the upper and lower jaws by one or more roots and the periodontal membrane. Terms of orientation for teeth are mesial (toward the anatomi- cal midline, or the point between the two central inci- sors), distal (away from the midline); buccal (toward the cheek), labial (toward the lip), lingual (toward the tongue), and occlusal (the chewing surface of a tooth). [See Dental and Oral Biology, Anatomy.] The reptilian dentition is homodont (generallyuni- form, single-cusped, conical teeth for grasping food objects) and polyphyodont (multiple generations of teeth). By contrast, the mammalian dentition is heter- odont (four types of teeth, each performing different I75 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HUMAN BIOLOGY. Secwd Edm. VOLUME 3 Copyright 0 1997 by Academlc Ress All ng.hts of ~pmduct~on m any fm rrrerwd