Developmental defects and postmortem changes in archaeological pig teeth from Fais Island, Micronesia

Kierdorf, Horst; Kierdorf, Uwe; Witzel, Carsten; Intoh, Michiko; Dobney, Keith

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2009.03.028

Cited by 12 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 53 publications

(77 reference statements)

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“…In order to account for post mortem changes, examiners have to consider differential diagnoses of MIH. The authors have addressed this issue with developmental defects (without MIH) and post mortem changes in archaeological porcine teeth (Kierdorf, Kierdorf, Witzel, Intoh, & Dobney, ), but no previous studies have created an inventory of differential diagnoses of MIH in human past populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential diagnoses of enamel hypomineralisation in an archaeological context: A postmedieval skeletal collection reassessment

Garot

Couture‐Veschambre

Manton

et al. 2019

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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Developmental enamel defects (DDE) are often used as indicators of general health in past archaeological populations. DDE include three common types of lesions: hypoplasia, diffuse, and demarcated opacities. Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) was defined in 2001 as a qualitative enamel defect affecting first permanent molars and often permanent incisors. The European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry established criteria to diagnose MIH in current populations as demarcated white or yellow‐brown opacities of enamel with or without posteruptive breakdown. MIH is prevalent in current populations (average 14.2%) and may cause important damage to first permanent molars. Aetiological factors are uncertain. The discovery of MIH in archaeological skeletal collections based on macroscopic examination has been reported previously, in particular by Ogden and colleagues (2008). If MIH exists in past populations, there are profound implications regarding current aetiological hypotheses. Aims of the present study were to (a) reassess the London postmedieval archaeological collection from which the first cases of MIH were reported and evaluate the reliability of MIH diagnosis criteria in past populations and (b) differentially diagnose developmental defects of enamel and post mortem discoloration in the teeth. Contrary to the reported prevalence in the original study (93.2%), among 47 subadult (>18 years) individuals, a low MIH prevalence was determined (27%). Reliability of MIH diagnosis was tested with three MIH experts who were also physical anthropologists. Our study highlighted that the reliability of a macroscopic diagnosis of MIH in past populations is fair (Cohen's kappa = 0.35 ± 0.11; Fleiss's kappa = 0.3). It could explain the large differential in prevalence values in studies performed in archaeological collections. Pathological and taphonomic agents can produce enamel modifications indistinguishable from one another, even to an “experienced eye.” Here, we examined the literature to highlight potential differential diagnoses of MIH (taphonomic discoloration, amelogenesis imperfecta, fluorosis, rachitic teeth, etc.). Employing nondestructive analyses to characterise and diagnose tooth discoloration in past populations is highly recommended.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential diagnoses of enamel hypomineralisation in an archaeological context: A postmedieval skeletal collection reassessment

Garot

Couture‐Veschambre

Manton

et al. 2019

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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“…Aprismatic enamel indicates secretion performed by ameloblasts with a well‐marked constriction of the Tomes' processes (Risnes ; Kierdorf et al . ). Numerous studies in wild and laboratory animals indicate that acute exposure to fluoride causes an interruption of the secretory activity of ameloblasts (Walton & Eisenmann ; Monsour et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Kierdorf et al . () showed that clefts in the outer and inner enamel may be caused by shrinkage of the hypomature enamel, containing a high percentage of organic matrix and water in pinniped enamel.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, enamel microstructural changes are a function of one or more stressors on the secretory ameloblasts (Kierdorf et al . , , , ; Wöltgens et al . ; Kierdorf & Kierdorf ; Witzel et al .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…El-Najjar et al 1978;White 1978;Rose 1979;Goodman et al 1980;Knick 1982;Ferigolo 1987a,b;Bombin 1990;Hillson 1992;Lukacs 1992;Lukacs & Nelson 2001;King et al 2002;Guatelli-Steinberg 2003;Guatelli-Steinberg 2004;Guatelli-Steinberg et al 2004;Witzel et al 2008) and as an indicator of environmental and/or nutritional stress in non-human vertebrates (e.g. Guatelli-Steinberg & Lukacs 1999;Dobney & Ervynck 2000;Lukacs 2001;Dobney et al 2004;Kierdorf et al 2006Kierdorf et al , 2009Witzel et al 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microstructural defects and enamel hypoplasia in teeth of Toxodon Owen, 1837 from the Pleistocene of Southern Brazil

Braunn

Ribeiro

Ferigolo

2014

LET

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Enamel hypoplasia is characterized by reduction in the enamel thickness, resulting from a disruption of ameloblast activity due to systemic physiological stress. The euhypsodont teeth of Toxodon, a notoungulate from the Pleistocene of South America, often exhibit signs of enamel hypoplasia, in the form of continuous grooves or a series of pits where the enamel is thinner than in normal areas. These defects alternate with areas of normal enamel, and sometimes more than one form of enamel hypoplasia is present on the same tooth. This study analysed teeth of Toxodon from the Pleistocene Touro Passo Formation and the coastal plain of State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Six types of enamel hypoplasia were observed. Upper teeth present mainly superficial grooves on the buccal surface, and the defects are less severe than those observed in the lower teeth. In the lower incisors, deep grooves with mesiodistal rows of pits were observed, showing clearly cyclical changes, which to a lesser degree, exist in all teeth. These changes are likely related to the continuous growth of euhypsodont teeth. Seven specimens were analysed under scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy, which showed the occurrence of microstructural changes associated with the macroscopic enamel defects. Enamel underlying in the vicinity of hypoplastic defects was aprismatic and associated with prominent pathologic striae. These pathological findings might indicate that toxodonts were exposed to some stressing conditions or that their teeth were more easily abraded due to a change in diet items, related to shifting climatic conditions.

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Distribution and extirpation of pigs in Pacific Islands: a case study from Palau

Clark

Petchey

Hawkins

et al. 2013

Archaeology in Oceania

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Neolithic arrival in the Pacific involved, as in other parts of the world, the translocation of domesticated plants and animals by pottery-making cultures in prehistory. Globally uncommon, though, was the abandonment of pottery on some islands and the extirpation of the pig (Sus scrofa/verrucosus) and dog (Canis familiaris) -the two largest mammalian quadrupeds introduced to Oceania -from the subsistence and cultural systems. This paper examines the extirpation of pigs from the Palau Islands as a case study to understand why an important domesticate has such an uneven prehistoric distribution. When suids are fed agricultural produce required to sustain the human population, it has been proposed that competition and extirpation will result, especially on small islands with limited arable land. However, pigs are considered problem animals in many environments because of the damage they cause to horticultural production, particularly the effects of free-range pigs on gardens and plantations. It is suggested that extirpation and low-level animal keeping are a response to the threat that pigs pose to plant food yields and social relations.

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Developmental defects and postmortem changes in archaeological pig teeth from Fais Island, Micronesia

Cited by 12 publications

References 53 publications

Differential diagnoses of enamel hypomineralisation in an archaeological context: A postmedieval skeletal collection reassessment

Differential diagnoses of enamel hypomineralisation in an archaeological context: A postmedieval skeletal collection reassessment

Microstructural defects and enamel hypoplasia in teeth of Toxodon Owen, 1837 from the Pleistocene of Southern Brazil

Distribution and extirpation of pigs in Pacific Islands: a case study from Palau

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