Dental paleoradiology: applications in paleoanthropology and paleopathology.
OBJECTIVE
To study the emergent role of computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of ancient human dental remains.


METHODS
We conducted a paleoradiologic study of the skeletal remains of 4 individuals dating from the Pliocene to the Medieval Period. The specialized software used permitted comprehensive analyses of the bone structures of the dental remains and the performing of three-dimensional stereolithographic reconstructions.


RESULTS
Paleoradiology helps demonstrate the detailed anatomy of fossil specimens, which permitted us to assign 1 of the specimens that we studied to the genus Homo, and not Australopithecus. Tooth and mandibular disease were identified in 2 specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
CT is an essential noninvasive and nondestructive tool for the evaluation of human dental remains.
Alt
Kurt W
KW
Institute of Anthropology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany. altkw@mail.uni-mainz.de
Buitrago-Téllez
Carlos H
CH
D000818:Animals; D000885:Anthropology, Physical; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D015186:Hominidae; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D010161:Paleodontology / Q000379:methods*; D010164:Paleopathology / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*