Award Date

1-1-2008

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology and Ethnic Studies

First Committee Member

Debra L. Martin

Number of Pages

121

Abstract

This project analyzed dentition from a sample (n =142) of Early Agricultural period skeletons (B.C. 1600-200 A.D.) from the site of La Playa (SON F:10:3), Sonora, Mexico. Data was collected on pathology rates for dental caries and antemortem tooth loss (AMTL) to test the hypothesis that hormone-fluctuations associated with pregnancy increase dental pathology in females. Males and females were not found to have significant differences in caries rates. However, statistically significant differences in AMTL were found with females exhibiting more tooth loss than males ( p=.022). When compared across age categories, reproductive-age females had substantial increases in AMTL compared to age-matched males; This pattern suggests that differences in dental health may be sex-based. With decreased birth-spacing associated with sedentism and agriculture, female oral health suffers. Findings from this study, with research from clinical studies on dental health and pregnancy, provide insight into the history of sex-differences in oral pathology and women's health.

Keywords

Agricultural; Dental; Early; Females; Health; Mexico; Sex; Transition

Controlled Subject

Archaeology; Physical anthropology; Forensic anthropology; Indians of North America--Study and teaching

File Format

pdf

File Size

3532.8 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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