Human Bone
by Theya Molleson and Peter AndrewsThree skeletons were excavated from the Mellaart Area; all three articulated primary burials in flexed position.
Study of the teeth by Basak Boz shows that even adults did not develop dental caries, and oral health was generally good. But despite this, one individual had marked crowding of the front teeth and impacted canine and wisdom teeth. Another individual had lost several upper and lower front teeth, possibly as the result of an accident. The lack of wear on the chewing surfaces of the teeth of a two year old child suggests that it had not yet been weaned onto solid food.
Figure 22: Tooth wear patterns on a male adult - see also the reconstruction drawing in Figure 23 |
Figure 23:Tentative reconstruction of an adult male engaged in processing reeds which may have resulted in the wear patterns illustrated in Figure 22 |
Diet and changes in food preparation techniques will be further studied by scanning eletron microscopy: a non destructive technique that enables fine scratches and pits on the chewing surfaces of the teeth to be recorded, measured and analysed. The scratches and pits are caused by food particles and can, therefore, help differentiate between the importance of different plant foods including: cereals; tubers; reeds; pulses and nuts. (see Figure 22 and Figure 23).
Bone morphology can reflect the stresses of habitual activity or even resting positions. Each individual seems to have had a preferred squatting position. While some activities demanded more work of the right arm, there is hardly any evidence of heavy load bearing or degenerative arthritis.
On the whole the people were healthy - at least those that survived the illnesses of childhood, for many children died.
Burials to date have been located within houses, beneath platforms and in foundation deposits. However, of the three skeletons excavated in the Mellaart area this year, one was located in an external area which is characterised by the accumulation of domestic debris. An explanation for this burial location will be of great interest.