An investigation of ancient Maya intentional dental modification practices at Midnight Terror Cave using anthroposcopic and paleogenomic methods. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verdugo, Cristina; Zhu, Kimberly; Kassadjikova, Kalina; Berg, Lara; Forst, Jannine; Galloway, Alison; Brady, James E.; Fehren-Schmitz, Lars
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 115(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Dental modification -- Ancient Maya -- Paleogenomics -- Midnight Terror Cave; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archéologie -- Périodiques; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2020.105096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-4403

Abstract

Abstract: Evidence of intentional dental modification practices has been found throughout Mesoamerica dating from the Early Preclassic period to the conquest. The recovery of 102 modified teeth from Midnight Terror Cave (MTC) provides a sufficiently large sample to critically examine current explanations of intentional dental modification. Paleogenomic analysis was employed in order to test hypotheses which link intentional dental modification to sex and kinship. DNA was extracted and genomic sequencing libraries were made for 27 teeth. Results show the presence of both sexes, indicating that the practice is not sex linked. The mitochondrial genome data detects a possible link between intentional dental modification and style. Highlights: 102 intentionally modified teeth examined for style, sex, and kinship. Sex established through paleogenetic analysis. Certain dental modification styles possibly sex-linked. Genomic analysis detects possible link between kinship and modification style.