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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Dental caries at Lapa do Santo, central-eastern Brazil: An Early Holocene archaeological site

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Author(s):
Da-Gloria, Pedro ; Oliveira, Rodrigo E. ; Neves, Walter A.
Total Authors: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências; v. 89, n. 1, p. 307-316, MAR 2017.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

The origin and dispersion of the first Americans have been extensively investigated from morphological and genetic perspectives, but few studies have focused on their health and lifestyle. The archaeological site of Lapa do Santo, central-eastern Brazil, has exceptionally preserved Early Holocene human skeletons, providing 19 individuals with 327 permanent and 122 deciduous teeth dated to 9,250 to 7,500 years BP. In this study, we test whether the inhabitants of Lapa do Santo had high prevalence of dental caries as previous studies of Lagoa Santa collection have indicated, using individual and tooth as units of analyses. The results show a high prevalence of dental caries in the permanent dentition (5.50%, n=327 teeth; 69.23%, n=13 individuals) compared to other samples of hunter-gatherers worldwide. In addition, dental caries in deciduous teeth start occurring as early as 3 to 4 years old, suggesting an early start to caries. Compared with other samples from Lagoa Santa, Lapa do Santo shows statistically similar prevalence of overall caries but different caries location pattern. We believe that a subsistence adaptation to a tropical environment rich in sources of carbohydrates, such as fruits, is the best explanation for the overall caries prevalence. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 04/01321-6 - Origins and microevolution of man in the Americas: a paleoanthropological approach (III)
Grantee:Walter Alves Neves
Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 99/00670-7 - Origins and microevolution of man in the Americas: a paleoantrhopological approach
Grantee:Walter Alves Neves
Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 13/00069-0 - Health and lifestyle of the Paleoamericans of Lagoa Santa: an ethnobioarchaeological approach
Grantee:Pedro José Tótora da Glória
Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants