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Dental effects of diet and coca‐leaf chewing on two prehistoric cultures of northern Chile
Author(s) -
Langsjoen Odin M.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-8644(199612)101:4<475::aid-ajpa3>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - coca , prehistory , subsistence agriculture , archaeology , dentistry , tooth loss , edentulism , cementoenamel junction , geography , medicine , oral health , agriculture , molar
Two ancient cultures of northern Chile, the Chinchorro (9000‐3500 BP) and the Maitas Chiribaya (850‐700 BP) were examined for dental pathology in search of possible correlations between dental health, diet, and the cultural practice of coca‐leaf chewing. The Chinchorro occupied the river mouth of the Azapa valley, subsisting almost exclusively on a maritime economy. The Maitas Chiribaya, descendants of migrant highlanders, had a rather well‐developed agricultural subsistence base. The Chinchorro demonstrated extreme attrition rates and a correspondingly high frequency of periapical abscesses. They were essentially caries‐free and enjoyed a moderate antemortem tooth loss frequency. The Maitas Chiribaya suffered light attrition, a high caries frequency, especially at the cementoenamel junction of crown and root, and a remarkably high antemortem tooth loss frequency. The cultural practice of coca‐leaf chewing is implicated in the excessive posterior edentulism of the Maitas Chiribaya. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.