Hello Everyone
 
When I report on pathology I tend to mention the presence of dental calculus in passing. It seems to turn up most frequently on sheep/goat teeth in the assemblages that come my way.
 
I understand how it forms but have any investigations been done into what this might indicate in terms of husbandry practise and diet?
 
Many Thanks
 
Sylvia
 
Dr Sylvia Warman
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Hi Sylvia...this answer is a bit tardy sorry...we have been working on analyzing calculus from humans and animals. Human calculus contains starch grains which can be identified and we would also like to recover phytoliths. We are collecting calculus from animals to do the same thing....I have some fossilized material (Bovids) and will see if it is possible to retrieve phytoliths and/or starch grains as well. It would be of interest to look at Homo erectus and Neanderthals as well. So...there is some work in progress....

Cheers
Peter