Dental and jaws status in pre-historic human population of the Gomolava site

Abstract

Introduction Knowledge of biological and cultural heritage represents a significant basis for the advance of human civilization. The aim of this study was to determine and define dental health status of pre-historic people of the Vinca culture. Material and method Study included twenty skeleton remnants of different gender and age from anthropological series of Gomolava. Skeletons originated from one necropolis and two individual graves dating from mid and early Neolithic periods of the Vinca culture. Based on radiocarbon analysis absolute skeletal age was determined to date within the periods from 5848±38 to 5739±35 BC. Preservation of skeletons varied from completely preserved skulls and jaws to fragmented parts of jaws. Data analysis was performed with methodology used in the research of human population teeth and jaws from the Lepenski Vir culture. Results Results showed high level of teeth abrasion (98,1%), medium level of dental calculus deposits (44,9%), low level of tooth decay, significant number of retained roots, as well as the occurrence of periapical lesions and periodontal disease within the neolith population of Gomolava site. Conclusion Taking into account absolute age of examined skeletons, collected data are very significant, from the perspective of its wide content. From a pathological perspective, teeth abrasion stands out as a dominant feature, while tooth decay fits within standard values for human population of the neolith period.

Keywords

• the Vinca culture
• Gomolava
• teeth
• abrasion
• tooth decay