Dental effects of diet and coca-leaf chewing on two prehistoric cultures of northern Chile

Abstract

Two ancient cultures of northern Chile, the Chinchorro (9000-3500 BP) and the Maitas Chiribaya (850-700 BP) were examined for dental pathology in search of possible correlations between dental health, diet, and the cultural practice of coca-leaf chewing. The Chinchorro occupied the river mouth of the Azapa valley, subsisting almost exclusively on a maritime economy. The Maitas Chiribaya, descendants of migrant highlanders, had a rather well-developed agricultural subsistence base. The Chinchorro demonstrated extreme attrition rates and a correspondingly high frequency of periapical abscesses. They were essentially caries-free and enjoyed a moderate antemortem tooth loss frequency. The Maitas Chiribaya suffered light attrition; a high caries frequency, especially at the cementoenamel junction of crown and root, and a remarkably high antemortem tooth loss frequency. The cultural practice of coca-leaf chewing is implicated in the excessive posterior edentulism of the Maitas Chiribaya.

Caries Through Time: An Anthropological Overview

“…The same happens in some populations from South American Andes where the carious lesions (mainly cervical ones) are much more frequent in males that preserve the ancestral habit of coca leaf chewing (Pando, 1988). This pattern has also been observed in archaeological samples (Indriati & Buikstra, 2001;Langsjöen, 1996;Pezo & Eggers, 2010;Valdivia, 1980). In Andean and Amazonian populations, it was observed higher prevalence in women who are responsible for chewing maize and manioc as a part of preparing fermentable beverages (chicha, masato, kiki -Larsen, 1997;Pezo & Eggers, 2010).…”

Examining the Life History of an Individual From Solcor 3, San Pedro De Atacama: Combining Bioarchaeology and Archaeological Chemistry

“…Against this back- ground, individual 1948's poor dental health is not unusual and likely reflects the local diet, which is high in carbohydrate-laden foods such as maize, algarrobo and chañar nuts. In addition, Langsjoen's (1996) study of north Chilean populations suggests that high rates of ante-mortem loss of posterior teeth could be associated with coca chewing; this may also be a contributing factor here since coca chewing was practiced in the region.…”

Estatus Social Y Patrones De Patología Oral en Pescadores-Agricultores Tardíos Del Cementerio Los Pinos (Costa Central Del Perú)

“…Entre 33 y 66% de los individuos adultos, independientemente de su estatus, tienen indicadores compatibles con el hábito. Mientras las fuentes etnográficas han reportado un mayor consumo de la hoja de coca en hombres, las fuentes etnohistóricas afirman que la coca era consumida por todos los grupos sociales (Espinoza 1987;Indirati y Buikstra 2001;Langsjöen 1996).…”

“…Así, es posible que la práctica del hábito haya sido más extendida entre los individuos de mayor estatus. La coca, que se mastica mezclada con sustancias básicas (como cal, para extraer el alcaloide de la hoja o cenizas de vegetales, para mejorar el sabor) provoca xerostomía y, como consecuencia, severas irritaciones al aparato de soporte del diente (periodontitis) y mayor riesgo de caries (Bradley 2013;Indirati y Buikstra 2001;Langsjöen 1996). En nuestro análisis estos indicadores también son más frecuentes en individuos de Estatus Superior.…”