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Dental disease in the late Medieval population from Nova Raca, Croatia
M Slaus1, A Pećina-Hrncević, G Jakovljević
1Department of Archeology, Croation Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb, Croatia.
Collegium Antropologicum
|January 24, 1998
Summary
Medieval Croatian males had higher rates of dental disease, including alveolar bone pathology and caries, compared to females. This suggests cultural factors buffered young males from malnutrition but exposed them to more cariogenic foods.
Area of Science:
- Paleopathology
- Bioarchaeology
- Human Osteology
Background:
- Investigating sex-based differences in health in past populations provides insights into social and environmental factors.
- Dental disease patterns can reflect diet, lifestyle, and stress levels in skeletal remains.
Observation:
- A study of late Medieval individuals from Nova Raca, Croatia, analyzed dental disease frequencies (alveolar bone pathology, caries, enamel hypoplasia, occlusal wear) between males and females.
- Significant differences were observed in the frequencies of alveolar bone pathology, carious lesions, and occlusal wear, with males exhibiting higher rates.
Findings:
- Males showed significantly higher frequencies of alveolar bone pathology, caries, and occlusal wear, particularly in younger adults (15-29 years) and the upper jaw.
- Females presented higher frequencies of enamel defects, suggesting differential exposure to developmental stressors.
Implications:
- The observed dichotomy in dental disease suggests a cultural mechanism buffered young males from malnutrition but increased their exposure to cariogenic diets.
- These findings contribute to understanding sex-specific health outcomes and adaptive strategies in historical populations.