engleski

Bioarchaeological analysis of late iron age human teeth from the site Kopila on the Island of Korcula

Introduction: The aim of this research is to determine biological characteristics, and thereby socio-economical standard of the inhabitants of Illyrian settlement Kopila near Blato on Korcula Island, by analyzing skeletal remains of jaws and teeth, found at necropolis dating from 4th to 1th century BCE. (Tomb 4). Materials and methods: By scoring standard morphological traits of the permanent dentition, as well as scoring and determining the frequency of pathological changes on teeth and supporting tissue, the number of individuals, gender, age at the time of death and dental status was determined. Dental status includes registering existing teeth, ante-mortem and post-mortem tooth loss, registering caries decay, degree of abrasion, level of calculus, periodontal disease, periapical lesions, enamel hypoplasia, orthodontic irregularities, as well as nonmetric variables and hereditary anomalies according to the ASUDAS scoring system. Specimen ageing was determined by analyzing stable carbon 14C isotopes. Results: There were 32 individuals in the tomb, with a total of 284 teeth, of which 99 teeth (34, 8 %) in the alveolus and 185 teeth (65, 2 %) outside the alveolus. 10 teeth (3, 52 %) were lost ante-mortem, and 102 (35, 9 %) post- mortem. The probable male gender member number is 15, female gender 9, and for 8 individuals, due to poor preservation, it was not possible to determine gender. There were 2 persons at the age of 20, 8 persons aged 20– 30, 9 persons aged 30-40, 11 persons older than 40. Caries was diagnosed on a total of 17 teeth (5, 98%), with 11 individuals of which 7 men with a total of 12 carious decay, 2 women with 4 decays and 2 persons with undetermined gender with 1 decay. Periapical changes are present on 2 teeth, with 2 individuals. Abrasive changes were noticed in 92, 9 % of teeth, 93, 3 % of which is sloping abrasion and 63, 1 % is level 2 and 3, mostly dentin being affected and not the pulp. It was possible to measure alveolar bone resorption on 13 individuals, with an average rate of 4, 84 mm buccal and 3, 87 mm oral. Dehiscences were present with 9 persons, mostly men (72%) of older age groups with an average rate of 10, 95 mm. Malocclusion irregularities were noticed in small amounts, due to poor jaw perseverance. Nonmetrical variables and hereditary anomalies were noticed with 26, 4% teeth, mostly variations in shape and nodule number (58, 7%), as well as an excess number of premolar roots (21, 3 %). Carbon 14C analysis showed specimen age of 360-160 BCE. Conclusion: We can confirm that the Illyrian population, buried in tomb 4, inhabited archaeological locality Kopila on Korcula Island in period 360 - 160 BCE. The tump was multiply used for burying for a longer period of time which caused, besides certain taphonomic effects, the poor bone remaining perseverance. According to morphological characteristics, we confirm that members of the same family were buried. The average age of the population was 30 – 50 years. There is little frequency in carious and alveolar changes which is possible due to significant abrasion. Changes caused by abrasion indicate nutrition rich in hard, abrasive, fibrous food, which requires greater chewing strength. This can also be influenced by the food preparation method

bioarchaeology ; teeth ; exhumation ; Ilyrians ; late iron age

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