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Journals / Eurasian Journal of Anthropology / 2026 / Volume: 16 Issue: 1

Relations between human diet and enamel thickness through variation between pre-medieval samples

Christopher Aris(Keele University)
Olga Nechyparenka(Keele University)
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-06-26
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Future research should continue this investigation through gathering dietary isotope data from teeth after thickness analysis through micro-CT scanning and/or before equivalent histological analysis.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objectives The pre-medieval period is associated with high inter-population variation in diet and food consumption, as well as changes in related enamel physiology, primarily enamel thickness.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods Upper and lower permanent teeth (n=100), specifically incisors (n=39), canines (n=30), and molars (n=31) from two pre-medieval populations were analysed using histological methods and light microscopy.
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Conclusion & Impact:Future research should continue this investigation through gathering dietary isotope data from teeth after thickness analysis through micro-CT scanning and/or before equivalent histological analysis.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:pre-medieval · enamel thickness · permanent teeth

Abstract

Objectives The pre-medieval period is associated with high inter-population variation in diet and food consumption, as well as changes in related enamel physiology, primarily enamel thickness. This project aims to examine the impact of diet on enamel thickness within this temporal transect, with specific reference to the Fish Event Horizon Theory. Methods Upper and lower permanent teeth (n=100), specifically incisors (n=39), canines (n=30), and molars (n=31) from two pre-medieval populations were analysed using histological methods and light microscopy. One population was dated to the early pre-medieval period (500-600AD), and one to the later period (800-1200AD). Relative enamel thickness, and linear measurements of cuspal and lateral thickness were collected, and published isotopic data of these populations was drawn from to assess diet. Mann-Whitney U statistical analyses were used to identify inter-population variations. Results The early pre-medieval population possessed significantly larger molar relative enamel thickness (p=0.01) and thinner lateral thickness (p=0.02). No significant variation was found in any canine or incisor thickness measure, or cuspal thickness of any tooth type. These variations in molar thickness allude to reduction in the dietary abrasiveness over time during the pre-medieval period, and an increase in the relative hardness of diet. Conclusions Significant variations in enamel thickness exists between human populations even within narrow temporal transects. Here these variations correlate with contextual dietary information and thereby support existing theories that enamel thickness can both respond to changes in diet within a species, and that this can occur over a short period of time due to both environmental, genetic, and migratory influences – i.e. it is not stable with the human species. Future research should continue this investigation through gathering dietary isotope data from teeth after thickness analysis through micro-CT scanning and/or before equivalent histological analysis.

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Cite This Article

Aris, C., Nechyparenka, O. (2026). Relations between human diet and enamel thickness through variation between pre-medieval samples. Eurasian Journal of Anthropology, Volume: 16 Issue: 1. https://ajindex.com/articles/1585458

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