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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.)

Efficient but destructive: a test of the dental wash technique using secondary electron microscopy

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Author(s):
Kucera, Matthias [1] ; Pany-Kucera, Doris [2] ; Boyadjian, Celia Helena [3] ; Reinhard, Karl [4] ; Eggers, Sabine [3]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Ludwig Boltzmann Inst Archaeol Prospect & Virtual, A-1190 Vienna - Austria
[2] Nat Hist Museum, Anthropol Abt, A-1010 Vienna - Austria
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Lab Antropol Biol, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Nebraska, Sch Nat Resources, Lincoln, NE 68583 - USA
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE; v. 38, n. 1, p. 129-135, JAN 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

The Boyadjian et al dental wash technique provides, in certain contexts, the only chance to analyze and quantify the use of plants by past populations and is therefore an important milestone for the reconstruction of paleodiet. With this paper we present recent investigations and results upon the influence of this method on teeth. A series of six teeth from a three thousand years old Brazilian shellmound (Jabuticabeira II) was examined before and after dental wash. The main focus was documenting the alteration of the surfaces and microstructures. The status of all teeth were documented using macrophotography, optical light microscopy, and atmospheric Secondary Electron Microscopy (aSEM) prior and after applying the dental wash technique. The comparison of pictures taken before and after dental wash showed the different degrees of variation and damage done to the teeth but, also, provided additional information about microstructures, which have not been visible before. Consequently we suggest that dental wash should only be carried out, if absolutely necessary, after dental pathology, dental morphology and microwear studies have been accomplished. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 04/11038-0 - Sambaquis and landscape: modeling cultural and natural relationships at the Brazilian southern shores, Santa Catarina
Grantee:Paulo Antônio Dantas de Blasis
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants