engleski

A Comparison of Dental Health between Ireland and Croatia during the Early Middle Ages (5th to 11th c. AD)

As one of the most enduring physical evidences of an individual’s existence teeth provide an important insight into the lifestyles of our ancestors. Study of human dental remains from archaeological context reveal valuable data about dietary habits of past peoples, but also testifies about their general health and quality of life. This paper presents the results of a study of alveo-dental remains conducted in two large early medieval (5th-11th c. AD) series - Irish, consisting of five sites, and Croatian, consisting of seven sites. All analysed sites represent rural communities located on the seaside or within 50 km from the sea coast. The focus is placed on a study and comparison of the frequency and distribution of caries, ante-mortem tooth loss, alveolar abscesses, dental calculus, and attrition between the two analysed series. Artificial dental attrition occurring as a result of habitual activities will also be considered. At the end, possible differences/similarities will be discussed, especially in relation to considerably different ecological/climatic settings in early medieval Ireland and Croatia.

Early medieval period; dental pathologies; Ireland; Croatia

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