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Dentistry in ancient mesopotamia.

E J Neiburger1

  • 1University of Illinois, USA.

Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society
|April 28, 2001
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ancient Mesopotamians had poor dental health, suffering from malnutrition and disease despite modern dentition. Their oral health issues were likely linked to famine and limited dental knowledge during the Sumerian period.

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Area of Science:

  • Paleopathology
  • Ancient History
  • Forensic Anthropology

Background:

  • Sumer, located in ancient Mesopotamia (modern southern Iraq), is recognized as a foundational civilization.
  • This study analyzes skeletal remains from Ur and Kish, dating to approximately 2000 B.C.

Observation:

  • Skeletal analysis revealed a genetically homogeneous population with a short lifespan.
  • High prevalence of severe dental attrition (95%) and periodontal disease (42%) was observed.
  • Oral congenital and neoplastic lesions were also noted, alongside evidence of chronic malnutrition.

Findings:

  • Dental evidence suggests malnutrition, likely caused by famine, impacted the population's health.
  • Despite possessing modern dentition, the population exhibited poor overall dental health.

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  • The absence of malocclusions and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues may be attributed to flat plane occlusion.

    • Implications:

    • This research provides insights into the health and living conditions of ancient Mesopotamians.
    • It highlights the significant impact of malnutrition and famine on oral and overall health in early civilizations.
    • The findings contribute to understanding the evolution of dental health and disease in human populations.