The Attrition of Molars in The Ancient Inhabitants of Anatolia

Year 1949, Volume: 13 Issue: 50, 237 - 244, 20.04.1949

Muzaffer Süleyman Şenyürek

Abstract

It is well known that the teeth of prehistoric men and of modern primitive peoples show a marked degree of attrition. In constrast to the prehistoric and primitive peoples, consuming gritty food, the teeth of the highly civilized peoples, though subject to the same process, are worn to a lesser extent, because of the refinement of their food and food habits. It may be said however that, as has been remarked by Broca (1879), no matter how hard a tooth substance may be it tends to wear down in the long run through the grinding action of one opposing tooth against the other and the abrasive effect of the food chewed, though, as was stated above, to varying degrees in different peoples.

Keywords

Prehistory, Anatolia, Alişar höyük, Anthropology