A delicious torment : an analysis of dental pathology on historic Bahrain

Abstract

The aim of this study was to trace changes in diet, and subsistence patterns through an analysis of the dental pathology of ancient populations in Bahrain. Samples from Middle Bronze Age, Iron Age and Middle Islamic Period were used for the analysis. Eight dental conditions were recorded: attrition, caries calculus, abscessing, periodontal disease, antemortem tooth loss, dental fluorosis and enamel hypoplasia. Very few differences were noted in the prevalence and pattern of dental diseases between the Bronze and Iron Ages. Individuals in both groups had low degrees of molar wear, frequent caries, very little deposition of calculus, infrequent abscessing, and moderate to high levels of periodontal disease and extremely high rates of antemortem tooth loss (even sub adults). This pattern of disease is consistent with a population subsisting upon an agricultural based diet, consisting of non-abrasive food and a high intake of fermentable carbohydrates (possibly dates). In contrast, in the Islamic period, wear was slightly greater, caries was still frequent but calculus deposits were common resulting in high rates of antemortem tooth loss. Antemortem tooth was more clearly associated with old age in this group. The differences between this population and the two earlier groups suggests that people in the Islamic period had a more varied and abrasive diet with probably higher intakes of meat, fish and grain products. The evidence fro dietary changes suggests that, despite differences in ecological conditions between Bronze and Iron Ages, there was little difference in the subsistence base, while a major change in diet occurred between the Iron Age and the Islamic period. Show more