Biocultural diversity in Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene Africa: Olduvai Hominid 1 (Tanzania) biological affinity and intentional body modification

Abstract

Objectives: The dentition of Olduvai Hominid 1 (OH1) exhibits an anomalous pattern of dental wear that was originally attributed to either intentional cultural modification (filing) or plant processing behaviors. A differential diagnosis of the wear and assessment of the biological affinity of OH1 is presented.Materials and Methods: Macroscopic and microscopic observations of all labial and buccal tooth surfaces were undertaken to assess wear patterns. A multivariate analysis of mandibular morphology of OH1 compared to other Late Pleistocene, Holocene, and recent modern humans was used to ascertain biological affinity. Results:The morphological variation of the OH1 mandible is closely aligned with variation in penecontemporaneous fossils from Africa and outside that of recent humans. The concave wear facets exposing dentin on the labial surfaces of all three preserved mandibular incisors is confirmed. Substantial loss of labial/buccal surfaces was documented on the surfaces of all in situ maxillary and mandibular canines, premolars, and molars ranging from distinct facets with well-defined edges, to blunting or "polishing" around areas of maximum buccal curvature. The wear on both the anterior and postcanine teeth closely resemble that caused by adornments ("labrets") worn in lower-lip and buccal facial piercings known from bioarchaeological and ethnographic contexts. The wear pattern suggests that the OH1 wore three facial piercings-two buccal/lateral and a medial one in the lower lip.Discussion: Our findings suggest that the expression of social identities through intentional body modification is more diverse than previously documented elsewhere in Africa during the Late Pleistocene (i.e., ablation) and Early Holocene (i.e., ablation, chipping, and filing).

Gigapixel-like imaging strategies for dental anthropology: Applications for scientific communication and training in digital image analysis

“…These dental-based studies generally use some form of optical light microscopy (sensu lato), at lower low magnification (less than 200x), in combination with SEM-based observations ranging from low to high magnification as a means of improving interpretation and visualization of various dental wear features. The combination of digital macrophotography and SEM in the present study (Figure 3) also shows how the use of more than one visualization methodology can enhance descriptive and visual presentation of dental wear features (see also Willman, 2016;Willman et al, 2020). While digital (macro)photography is a commonly available resource for studying fossil and subfossil human teeth, portable or tabletop optical light microscopy (sensu lato) may not be.…”

Ecocultural or Biocultural? Towards Appropriate Terminologies in Biocultural Diversity

“…Biocultural diversity/variations Human morphological variations induced by diverse range of intentional body modification practices [25].…”

“…In these examples, ‘biocultural’ has been combined with terms such as ‘adaptation’ and ‘approach’ to produce varying connotations. Notable usage includes ‘biocultural diversity/variations’ to denote morphological variations in human populations, induced by cultural practices such as intentional body modification practices [ 25 ].…”

“…Thus, the possibilities to generate various terminologies incorporating ‘biocultural’ in both biocultural studies and biocultural diversity are innumerable, leading to a confusing scenario, a complexity that would only grow from here unless resolved. Such a confusing scenario is further exemplified by the usage of ‘biocultural diversity’ as such in biocultural studies to refer to morphological variations in human populations [ 25 ].…”

The embodiment of craft production in Bronze Age Portugal: Exceptional dental wear grooves in an individual from Monte do Vale do Ouro 2 (Ferreira do Alentejo, Portugal)

“…The analysis of dental wear—in the form of macrowear, microwear and/or specific dental wear features (e.g., enamel chipping, notches, occlusal or interproximal grooves, notches, erosion, lingual surface attrition of the maxillary anterior teeth [LSAMAT] and instrumental striations on labial/buccal surfaces)—provides data of biocultural relevance for the reconstruction and understanding of dietary variation, nondietary manipulative behaviours, trauma, pathological conditions, cultural modification of the dentition for social expression of identities, occupation and other indicators of past human lifeways (Alt & Pichler, 1998; d'Incau, Couture, & Maureille, 2012; Krueger, 2015; Krueger, Willman, Matthews, Hublin, & Pérez‐Pérez, 2019; Milner & Larsen, 1991; Molnar, 1972; Schmidt, El Zaatari, & Van Sessen, 2020; Schmidt, Remy, Van Sessen, & Herrmann, 2019). The analysis of specific, idiosyncratic or aberrant dental wear features is particularly illustrative for reconstructions of behaviour and identity (Alt & Pichler, 1998; Crane, Watson, & Haas, 2020; Milner & Larsen, 1991; Molnar, 1972; Stojanowski, Johnson, Paul, & Carver, 2016; Willman, Hernando, Matu, & Crevecoeur, 2020a), since these wear patterns can be coupled with inferences gained from ethnographically, ethnohistorically and clinically documented patterns of atypical tooth‐using tasks and the sociocultural contexts they involve (Barrett, 1977; Berbesque et al, 2012; Crowfoot, 1931; Daly, Bakar, Husein, Ismail, & Amaechi, 2010; Erdal, 2008; Fidalgo, Silva, & Porfírio, 2020; Gould, 1968; Krueger, 2015; Merbs, 1983; Scott & Jolie, 2008; Vogeikoff‐Brogan & Smith, 2010; Wheat, 1967).…”