Dentition and Diet- A Chemical Analysis

One of the most difficult tasks in studying past cultures is determining the diet and health of the people. In archaeological sites one can often find clues to the diet, however the remains of food found generally do not give the whole picture. One way to discern the diet is by studying the teeth of the people. Teeth are almost completely inorganic, therefore they do not decompose as quickly as bones. In studying the chemical make up of teeth one can determine the mineral intake in the diet. This, in tandem with archaeological evidence, can give a better idea of the general diet and health of the people