Incisor microwear textures of five bioarcheological groups

摘要: Dental microwear texture analysis has proven to be a valuable tool for inferring aspects of subsistence behaviour in human groups and diet other mammals. Studies have date been limited molar teeth. Here we report on the first incisors. Five bioarcheological were included this analysis: Aleuts from various islands Bering Sea (n = 24), Arikara Mobridge site South Dakota (n = 18), ethnic Chinese cannery workers Kodiak Island (n = 16), Late Woodland Bluff sample Jersey County, Illinois (n = 18) Puye Pueblo Pajarito Plateau New Mexico (n = 18). First, point clouds with 0.18 µm lateral spacing 0.005 µm vertical resolution obtained maxillary central incisor labial surfaces using white-light confocal profiler. Four adjoining fields sampled total area 276 µm × 204 µm each specimen. Surface data then imported into scale-sensitive fractal software characterisation. Results indicate significant variation among anisotropy, fill volume heterogeneity. These differences are likely related diet, degrees types non-dietary use, as well exposure abrasives. This study also suggests that variables most useful characterising comparing may differ those distinguishing patterns. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.