Changes in dental wear magnitude in the last ∼8000 years in southwestern Iberia

Abstract

Objective: This study examines changes in dental wear magnitude in the past ∼8000 years, i.e., since Mesolithic until the 19th century, in southwestern Iberia. Thus, it encompasses the transition from hunting-gathering to agro-pastoralism, and then to the industrialization of food production and pre-processing. Design: Dental wear magnitude was scored in a total of 191 individuals and 1557 teeth from Mesolithic (individuals=56; teeth=643), Neolithic (individuals=35; teeth=169), Chalcolithic (individuals =35; teeth=221), Modern Age (individuals=17; teeth=209), and Late Modern Age (individuals=48; teeth=315) samples originating in southwestern Iberia (i.e., present central and southern Portugal) and according to the 8 levels ordinal scale of Smith (1984). Results: Results show a general trend for decreased wear magnitude in these two major transitions and during this timespan (although the hunting-gathering – agro-pastoralism transition had larger impact). The only meaningful differences in wear rate were found between the Late Modern Age and all remaining samples. Conclusion: Dental wear generally decreased during this timespan (although wear magnitude was less impacted by the industrialization of food production and pre-processing). Our results are consistent with studies documenting skull morphological gracilization associated with reduced masticatory demands due to the adoption of softer diets.