Naslov
Dental microwear texture analysis as a tool for discerning intra-population dietary patterns: Evidence from the Croatian Copper Age site of Potočani

Autori
Droke L., Jessica ; Ahern C.M., James ; Janković, Ivor ; Novak, Mario ; Balen, Jacqueline ; Potrebica, Hrvoje ; Schmidt W., Christopher

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
PROGRAM OF THE 88TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGISTS / - , 2019, 62-62

Skup
88TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGISTS

Mjesto i datum
Cleveland (OH), Sjedinjene Američke Države, 27.03.2019. - 30.03.2019

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Potočani ; Croatia ; Copper Age ; microwear analysis

Sažetak
Dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA) is a dietary reconstruction method typically used for interspecies comparisons. More recently, DMTA has been employed as a tool for discerning differences in human subsistence patterns, but its utility in detecting intra-population dietary variation has been little explored. This study utilized dental remains of 37 individuals from the Croatian Copper Age site of Potočani (cca 4100 BCE) to investigate dietary patterning according to age and sex within the population. Standard DMTA procedures were followed to observe phase II wear facets on the occlusal molar surfaces. The three texture variables, calculated using scale- sensitive fractal analysis software (Sfrax® and Toothfrax®), included complexity (Asfc), anisotropy (epLsar), and textural fill volume (Tfv). As a whole, results indicate relatively high anisotropy values for the individuals from Potočani (x̄=.0031) signifying considerable consumption of fibrous, homogenous foods and consistent with the farming of domesticates. Complexity values for the population are also elevated (x̄=2.313) suggesting a hard or gritty diet consistent with the exploitation of wild or seasonally available foods such as nuts or berries. Overall, DMTA signatures from Potočani indicate a diet rich in farmed domesticates along with substantial supplementation of wild resources. Further investigation into sex-based variation in diet indicate that adult males consumed a harder more heterogeneous diet than adult females who ate a softer more fibrous diet, while age-based analyses indicate that sub-adults show a moderately hard and fibrous diet. These analyses indicate that DMTA is an effective tool for discerning fine-scale dietary patterns within bioarchaeological populations.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Arheologija

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