Luis Pezo-Lanfranco1. 1. Laboratório de Antropologia Biológica, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluate the role of plants in the diet of fisher-hunter gatherers adapted to highly productive coastal environments. Oral health markers were used to track spatiotemporal variations (regional and diachronic) in the composition of carbohydrate in the diets of prehistoric shell mound builders (sambaqui) from the Southeast of Brazil. Our main objective is to test the supposed stability in the dietary habits of sambaqui populations and identify modulating effects of chronological, cultural, and/or ecological factors. METHODS: Eighteen oral health markers (divided into three categories: caries, periodontal disease, and dental wear) were applied in 233 individuals from 7 sambaquis (dated between 4800 and 1100 BP) from 5 geographic regions. RESULTS: Our results reveal variable oral health patterns among sites. Despite that, we found a number of common features, such as dental wear and associated pulp lesions. Some oral health patterns are compatible with cariogenic diets and high carbohydrate consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses suggest that plant resource management is plausible at some sites and support the emerging evidence that plant consumption among sambaqui populations was driven more by ecologic factors than chronological or cultural ones. A comprehensive record of oral health markers shows promise as a methodology to differentiate between otherwise extremely similar diets.
OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluate the role of plants in the diet of fisher-hunter gatherers adapted to highly productive coastal environments. Oral health markers were used to track spatiotemporal variations (regional and diachronic) in the composition of carbohydrate in the diets of prehistoric shell mound builders (sambaqui) from the Southeast of Brazil. Our main objective is to test the supposed stability in the dietary habits of sambaqui populations and identify modulating effects of chronological, cultural, and/or ecological factors. METHODS: Eighteen oral health markers (divided into three categories: caries, periodontal disease, and dental wear) were applied in 233 individuals from 7 sambaquis (dated between 4800 and 1100 BP) from 5 geographic regions. RESULTS: Our results reveal variable oral health patterns among sites. Despite that, we found a number of common features, such as dental wear and associated pulp lesions. Some oral health patterns are compatible with cariogenic diets and high carbohydrate consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses suggest that plant resource management is plausible at some sites and support the emerging evidence that plant consumption among sambaqui populations was driven more by ecologic factors than chronological or cultural ones. A comprehensive record of oral health markers shows promise as a methodology to differentiate between otherwise extremely similar diets.
Authors: Luis Pezo-Lanfranco; José Filippini; Marina Di Giusto; Cecília Petronilho; Veronica Wesolowski; Paulo DeBlasis; Sabine Eggers Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-03-11 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Alice Toso; Ellen Hallingstad; Krista McGrath; Thiago Fossile; Christine Conlan; Jessica Ferreira; Dione da Rocha Bandeira; Paulo César Fonseca Giannini; Simon-Pierre Gilson; Lucas de Melo Reis Bueno; Murilo Quintans Ribeiro Bastos; Fernanda Mara Borba; Adriana M P do Santos; André Carlo Colonese Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-12-06 Impact factor: 4.379