Buccal Dental Microwear and Diet of the Sunghir Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

Buccal Dental Microwear and Diet of the Sunghir Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

B. Pinilla and E. Trinkaus.

Buccal microwear analysis of the deciduous molars of Sunghir 3 provides a moderate density of striations and suggests a mixed diet. The permanent teeth of Sunghir 1 to 3 present a low density of microwear, in agreement with the minimal occlusal wear of Sunghir 2 but in contrast with the more advanced wear of Sunghir 1 and 3. The Sunghir 1 and 2 scratches imply mixed diets; those of Sunghir 3 suggest a more carnivorous one. These results are in agreement with bone chemistry and stable isotope data and with the resources likely present near Sunghir.

Keywords: Diet, ecology, teeth, Upper Paleolithic, Late Pleistocene, Europe.