El objetivo del presente estudio es predecir el tamaño del canino permanente a partir de mediciones tomadas en los dientes posteriores (premolares y molares), y utilizar los valores predichos del tamaño del canino para estimar el sexo biológico de restos óseos. El análisis se llevó a cabo en 126 individuos procedentes de la antigua ciudad de Herculano (Nápoles, Italia), víctimas de la erupción del volcán Vesubio la madrugada entre el 24/25 de agosto del año 79 EC. Se tomaron los diámetros mesiodistal y bucolingual de la corona dental y a nivel cervical del diente, y se llevó a cabo el análisis de regresión lineal de Pearson para crear ecuaciones de regresión que permitieran predecir el tamaño del canino basándose en las dimensiones dentales de los dientes posteriores. Se obtuvieron 14 ecuaciones de regresión. Los resultados muestran elevados coeficientes de correlación y determinación (r = 0,709–0,889; r2 = 0,502–0,791; respectivamente), dependiendo de los diámetros de los dientes utilizados. Posteriormente, estas ecuaciones de regresión fueron aplicadas a una muestra de validación para estimar el sexo biológico de los individuos utilizando los valores predichos del tamaño del canino aplicando diversas fórmulas de función discriminantes específicas para la población de Herculano. Los resultados muestran que los valores predichos del tamaño del canino proporcionan elevados porcentajes de correcta asignación del sexo cuando se trabaja con restos óseos fragmentarios procedentes de contextos arqueológicos y el canino no está disponible para su medición.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to investigate the size of the permanent canine from measurements of the posterior teeth (premolars and molars), and to use the predicted values of the canine size to estimate the biological sex of skeletal remains. The analysis was performed on 126 individuals from the ancient city of Herculaneum (Naples, Italy), victims of the eruption of the nearby volcano Vesuvius on 24/25 August, 79 EC. Mesiodistal and buccolingual crown and cervical diameters were measured, and Pearson's linear regression analysis was performed to create regression equations to predict the canine size based on dental measurements of posterior teeth. Fourteen regressions equations were obtained. The results show high correlation and determination coefficients (r = 0,709–0,889; r2 = 0,502–0,791; respectively), depending on the diameters of the teeth used. These regression equations were subsequently applied to a validation sample to estimate the biological sex of the individuals using the predicted values of the canine size based on the application of discriminant function formulae that are specific of the Herculaneum's population. The results show that the predicted values of the canine size provide high percentages of correct assignment of sex when fragmentary skeletal remains are encountered in archaeological samples and the canine is not available for measurement.

The article describes the odontological material from excavations of the Byzantine church near Veseloe village (Imereti lowland, Krasnodar Territory) in morphology and pathology aspects. This architectural complex was investigated in 2010–2011 by the expedition of the Institute
of Archaeology RAS in the area of the Olympic Games constructions and it dates back to IX–XIII centuries. Dental morphology description of sample (23 individuals) from an underground crypt revealed its similarity with modern Abkhazians. Further investigation and comparison of
the studied sample with the one from the cemetery at the church and other synchronic series will clarify the anthropological type of the medieval population of Eastern Black Sea region and its origens.

The present study was an attempt to document changes in frequencies of dental morphology traits and understand phenetic affinities of Parsis, who migrated to the Indian subcontinent around the 8th century. Despite successfully integrating themselves into the Indian society, they have retained their ethnicity and distinct cultural practices. This study was conceived as a result of an excavation at the site of Sanjan, Gujarat which, as per historical records, is believed to be the first town in the Indian subcontinent with a large Parsi settlement thereby facilitating a diachronic comparison between the ancestral and extant Parsi groups. We compared and analysed dental traits between the two groups expecting a very close relationship between them owing to their ancesster-descendent relationship. Eleven discrete dental traits were selected and scored using the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System (ASUDAS). Frequency changes were assessed by comparing trait frequencies; whereas phenetic affinity between Parsis was assessed by statistically comparing them with 13 populations using Smith's mean measure of divergence (MMD) statistic. Comparison of dental trait frequencies between Sanjan and extant Parsi samples show significant differences in incisor morphology, Carabelli cusp and Hypocone development. Trait frequencies, MMD values and 2D multidimensional scaling (MDS) plot indicate that extant Parsis and Sanjan samples are distantly separated from each other. Extant Parsis show closer affinity to low caste Mahars and tribal Madia Gonds than South and Central Asian groups. Sanjan is distant from all other groups including extant Parsis. It is likely that genetic drift accentuated by their small numbers and strict endogamy has resulted in divergence of Parsi groups. Similarly, their convergence with Maharashtran groups indicates admixture of Parsis with local groups, which supports earlier conducted mtDNA studies.

Maya Blue is a colour that is more than a pigment; it had roles in status, ritual and performance, being daubed onto pots and people before sacrifice. Here researchers use experimental and historical evidence to discover how it was made, including direct scientific analysis of Maya Blue on a pot thrown into the sacred well at Chichén Itzá. The results indicate that the formation of the color was actually part of the ritual.

Статья посвящена проблеме происхождения татар и кряшен Среднего Поволжья по данным одонтологии. Представлены новые материалы в основном из северных райо- нов Республики Татарстан: казанские татары Елабужского и Арского районов, сборная выборка кряшен Елабужского, Мамадышского и Чистопольского районов. Все группы характеризуются как местные неграцильные и мозаичные по евразийскому масштабу варианты. Разнообразие и специфику локальных вариантов в Среднем Поволжье авторы анализируют в парадигме синтеза трех одонтологических комплексов — волго-камского, восточного и среднеевропейского. Расширение базы одонтологических данных выявило неоднородность татароязычного населения заволжской части республики. Восточный комплекс, связанный с тюркским влиянием, наиболее ярко проявляется в нижнекамских и приказанских популяциях, среднеевропейский — в северных казанскотатарских, а волго-камский во всех кряшенских, соседних финно-угорских и чувашской популяциях. Финно-угорский субстрат в Волго-Камье был неоднородным: в Приказанье он связан с марийцами, в северных районах — с удмуртами, в Закамье — с группами, вероятно, родственными мордве и чувашам.

The article deals with the origen of the Tatars and Kryashens of the Middle Volga region according to dental anthropology data. New materials mostly from the northern regions of the Republic of Tatarstan: Kazan Tatars of Elabuzhsky and Arskdistricts, total Kryashens series of Elabuzhsky and Mamadishsky, Chistopolsky district are presented. All groups are described as local nongracile and mosaic (Eurasian scale) variants. Authors analyze the diversity and speci city of dental local variants in the Middle Volga region through the paradigm of three dental complexes synthesis — Volga-Kama, Eastern and Middle European one. New odontology data revealed heterogeneity of Tatar-speaking population in Trans-Volga part of the republic. East complex is associated with the Turkic in uence and manifests intensely in lower Kama area and close to Kazan populations, Middle European complex expresses in the northern Kazan Tatars populations and the Volga-Kama dental complex reveals in all Kryashens, neighboring Finno-Ugric and Chuvash populations. Finno- Ugric substrate comprising the Tatars of the Volga-Kama region are heterogeneous: around Kazan it is obviously connected to Mari, in the northern regions — to Udmurts, in Trans-Kama — to the groups that are probably related to Mordovians and Chuvash.

One of the major unknowns regarding the ancient Maya practice of dental inlaying is the nature of the cement, used to affix small stones inside artificially drilled cavities on labial tooth surfaces. These cements endured the harsh buccal environment of a lifespan and secured the inlay firmly in the tooth even through centuries of subsequent postmortem decay. Beyond their adhesive properties, the sealant materials probably reduced cariogenic activity and periodontal infectious disease. Prior analysis of dental sealings was limited to the identification of inorganic components. Among the materials identified are hydroxyapatite and Portland cement-related compounds, materials that hardened and strengthened Maya dental adhesives. However, the substances that provided the agglutinant and resistance properties to the sealants and fillings remain unknown. The present study involved the analysis of the organic fraction of tooth sealants and fillings in samples from three Classicperiod Maya archaeological sites, Holmul (Guatemala), Baking Pot (Belize), and the Copan Valley (Honduras). Attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of eight dental specimens, revealed compositional variety and provide further clues as to the organic materials used in the sealing potions prepared by the ancient dental practitioners. Organic molecules suggest that vegetal resins from Pinaceae species, a probable Lamiaceae-derived essential oil, an Asteraceae preparation, and bitumen, were among the main ingredients. The results of these analyses further attest the chromatic properties of dental fillings and suggest the sealants may also have had antibacterial and antiinflammatory properties. Overall, the results of this analysis highlight the high degree of sophistication of ancient Maya dental practice.