Mandibular Anterior Tooth Wear of Individuals from Liang Bua, Lewoleba, and Melolo: an Indication of Cultural Activity Related Patterns

Aim. The aim of this scientific study was to delineate tooth wear captured in part of anterior mandible of individual remains as a result of excavation done in several sites such as in Liang Bua, Lewoleba, and Melolo of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The focus of the investigation was to identify the pattern of tooth wear on mandibular incisors. Materials and Method. The investigation was carried out upon seven mandibles of individuals excavated from the three sites. Macroscopic observation was occupied to identify the stages of tooth wear and wear type on mandibular incisors. Result. The result depicts high level of stages of occlusal surface wear and oblique wear type on incisors of subjects acquired from Liang Bua, Lewoleba, and Melolo. Conclusion. Such evidence implies that the occurrence of high level of stages of occlusal surface wear can be indicated to have correlation with meat based diet. Meanwhile, the occurrence of oblique tooth wear suggests its correlation with an activity of chewing ‘Sirih Pinang’ or betel-nut chewing, a kind of betel vine popularly done by individual dwelling in those areas. Also, an indication of intentional dental modification upon incisors was found on subjects acquired from both Liang Bua and Lewoleba.