Evidence of toothpick groove formation in Neandertal anterior and posterior teeth

Abstract

These differences could be due to the more advanced occlusal dental wear in Hortus individuals, maybe age-related and with a more meat-based diet maybe favoring the inclusion of food debris and thus probing as the cleaning methodology. Our results allow the identification and characterization of incipient toothpick grooves on the human fossil record and contribute to increase our knowledge on Neandertals behavioral and oral care habits.

Triangulating Neanderthal cognition: A tale of not seeing the forest for the trees

“…Exploiting these resources in a specialized way resembling “logistic behavior” (Marín et al, 2020, p. 22), Neanderthals implemented “complex land use patterns, adapting to diversified landscapes and climates” (Moncel, Fernandes, Willmes, James, & Grün, 2019, p. 1) and thereby demonstrate “a complex scenario of extensive knowledge and intensive exploitation of the landscape” (de Soler et al, 2020, p. 1). Further, Neanderthals not only cooked, but also purposefully used naturally occurring medications and maintained mouth hygiene through the use of toothpicks (Estalrrich, Alarcón, & Rosas, 2017; Hardy, 2018; Hardy et al, 2012; Weyrich et al, 2017). Finally, the production and use of cords by Neanderthals has been documented, displaying another piece of a, according to the classical view, modern technology that allows for a range of possible behaviors mirrored by modern hunter‐gatherers (Hardy et al, 2013, 2020).…”

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 etiology, temporospatial distribution and materials/behaviours involved in the formation of interproximal grooves have a long history of study (Bouchneb & Maureille, 2004; Brown & Molnar, 1990; Estalrrich, Alarcón, & Rosas, 2017; Formicola, 1988; Hlusko, 2003; Lukacs & Pastor, 1988; Ravy, Clère, & Puech, 1996; Ungar, Grine, Teaford, & Pérez‐Pérez, 2001; Willman et al, 2019). Generally, interproximal grooves are found at or near the cementoenamel junction of postcanine teeth, although some cases are known for the anterior teeth (Estalrrich, Alarcón, & Rosas, 2017; Lozano et al, 2020; Schulz, 1977; Willman et al, 2019). The working of pliant cordage, sinews, fibres of plant or animal products and similar materials in the interproximal spaces between adjacent teeth has been proposed as one mode of interproximal groove formation in certain cases (Brown & Molnar, 1990; Lozano et al, 2020; Lukacs & Pastor, 1988; Schulz, 1977).…”

“…The working of pliant cordage, sinews, fibres of plant or animal products and similar materials in the interproximal spaces between adjacent teeth has been proposed as one mode of interproximal groove formation in certain cases (Brown & Molnar, 1990; Lozano et al, 2020; Lukacs & Pastor, 1988; Schulz, 1977). However, the majority of interproximal grooves identified in the literature correspond to the use of rigid or semirigid probes for ‘tooth‐picking’ behaviours—whether therapeutic or palliative in nature (Bouchneb & Maureille, 2004; Estalrrich, Alarcón, & Rosas, 2017; Formicola, 1988; Hlusko, 2003; Ungar, Grine, Teaford, & Pérez‐Pérez, 2001; Willman et al, 2019).…”

Root grooves on two adjacent anterior teeth ofAustralopithecus africanus

“…it results from non-masticatory contact of an object with the teeth, and on occasion may relate to cultural or therapeutic behaviour (e.g., Turner and Cacciatore, 1998;Ungar et al, 2001;Novak, 2015;Estalrrich et al, 2016). Dental corrosion, or erosion as it is more commonly called, has been extensively researched in modern (e.g., Zero, 1996;Aubry et al, 2003;Oginni et al, 2003;Grippo et al, 2004) and archaeological human dentitions (e.g., Robb et al, 1991;Indriati and Buikstra, 2001;Ritter et al, 2009;Watson and Haas, 2017).…”

“…NCCLs have also been described in fossil hominins, the majority of which are 'toothpick grooves' (Ubelaker et al, 1969;Boaz and Howell, 1977;Frayer and Russell, 1987;Brown and Molnar, 1990;Milner and Larsen, 1991;Bermudez de Castro et al, 1997;Turner and Cacciatore, 1998;Ungar et al, 2001;Hlusko, 2003;Bouchneb and Maureille, 2004;Kaidonis et al, 2012;Lozano et al, 2013;Tillier et al, 2013;Ricci et al, 2014;Sun et al, 2014;Frayer et al, 2017). Anterior teeth can be affected, but most grooves are present in the interproximal areas of the premolars and molars (Formicola, 1988;Frayer, 1991;Ungar et al, 2001), with buccolingual micro-striations often evident (Bouchneb and Maureille, 2004;Grine et al, 2000;Hlusko, 2003;Lozano et al, 2013;Estalrrich et al, 2016;Sun et al, 2014). The enamel, dentine, and/or cementum are affected depending on groove depth and location, i.e., above, below or directly on the CEJ.…”