A team of researchers from the Francisco Marroquín University in Guatemala has examined three samples of jade-inlaid teeth belonging to members of the . The scientists discovered that this dental decoration was not just for adult members of the community.
In pre-Columbian Mayan society, dental accessories were highly prized. During the Classic and Postclassic periods (250–1550 AD), people typically adorned their teeth with decorative inlays, fillings, and engravings. To achieve the desired effect, dentists used stone tools to carve out cavities in the teeth. They then placed a polished gemstone or mineral, such as obsidian, into the cavity, sealing it with organic cement.
Previously, archaeologists had found such decorated belonging to adults and teenagers, as reported by Popular Science. However, during this new study, the researchers analyzed three jade-inlaid teeth that, it turned out, belonged to children. The team suggested that these might be among the youngest known bearers of this dental decoration.
Until now, the only known child’s dental inlay was discovered in Belize. However, experts determined that the child received this accessory posthumously as part of burial goods. Reflecting on this example, bioarchaeologist Andrea Cucina, a co-author of the new study, suggested that the recent findings might represent a completely different trend. It’s possible that jade inlays signified a child’s transition into a more adult life.
“Given that there has been no archaeological data regarding tooth inlaying in young children in Mesoamerica (tooth decoration typically began around age 15), I believe we are looking at a regional, local tradition,” the scholar stated.
Cucina’s hypothesis is supported by the fact that remains of pre-adolescent Mayans are a rarity in archaeology. According to the authors of the new study, these teeth belonged to several children. One child may have died at the age of 9 or 10, while the other two teeth belonged to at least one more child aged 8-9. However, the team leans towards the idea that the teeth belonged to three different children.
The analyzed samples demonstrated variations in the skill of ancient dentists. The most precise work was done on the left lateral incisor, where the craftsman created a cavity specifically in the enamel of the tooth. Meanwhile, the cavity in the left central incisor of the upper jaw penetrated deeper—into the dentin layer—though it did not reach the pulp chamber.
So far, the social context behind these children’s teeth remains an archaeological mystery. Researchers hope to eventually fill this gap in knowledge.
The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.
Photo: Unsplash
The ancient Maya adorned their children’s teeth with precious inlays.
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