Ancient Italian Skeletons Had Hemp In Their Teeth, Archaeologists Discover

Forbes ^ | August 30, 2018 | Kristina Killgrove

[SunkenCiv]

In a new analysis of thousands of teeth from ancient skeletons buried at a site near Naples, Italy, archaeologists have discovered that people were using their mouths to help with their work -- occupations that likely involved processing hemp into string and fabric.

We all use our teeth as tools -- to open bottles, hold pieces of paper, or even smoke a pipe. When we do this, we open ourselves up to the possibility of cracking our teeth but also create microscopic grooves and injuries to the enamel surface. Since teeth don't remodel like bones do, these tiny insults remain over our entire lives.

To archaeologists, the pattern of tooth use that occurs from actions other than chewing is called AIDM -- activity-induced dental modification -- and can reveal cultural information about a person's life, diet, and occupation. For decades, archaeologists have investigated AIDM and found interesting patterns in Neandertals and other prehistoric human populations that are suggestive of ancient artifact production.

In a paper published yesterday in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, a group of Italian and American researchers led by Alessandra Sperduti of the Museo delle Civiltà in Rome detail their analysis of more than 3,000 teeth from over 200 people who were buried in a cemetery at the Early Bronze Age (2500-1800 BC) site of Gricignano d'Aversa just north of Naples.

[SunkenCiv]

It’s not out of the question that the women were working in slavery, and had been taken as war booty.

In search of the Trojan war — The Women of Troy (4/6)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2lHDUvKPsM

[SunkenCiv]

Not stoners, bronzers.

[SunkenCiv]

I’m sure their later prominence and march to known-world empire was due to their switch from hemp to wine. :^)

[SunkenCiv]

Sure, but they didn’t realize they shouldn’t have combined dental floss and the helicopter. That’s why all that is found is the teeth.

[SunkenCiv]

Including novocaine, and nitrous oxide. “With laughing gas you feel the pain, you just don’t give a ****.” — Robert Klein

[SunkenCiv]

He’s also got a jar with his original liver up on the mantle.

[SunkenCiv]

I used to catch hell for stripping wire with a fortuitously sized gap.

[SunkenCiv]

“Nice teeth and hemp you got there, shame if something happened to them.”

[SunkenCiv]

The excavators should be lookin’ for that sack of seeds.

[SunkenCiv]

LOL!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks — the part that got my attention was “AIDM — activity-induced dental modification”.

[SunkenCiv]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdSC2_y7ygc

[T-Bone Texan]

I must add to your post: In recent years, Siberian Ruderalis hemp has been purposely cross bred into cannabis because it has a unique quality that pot growers value.

That quality is the autoflowering trait.

Normally, pot must go under a light regime of 12 hours on/12 hours off to induce flowering.

The autoflowering trait removes that requirement.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Conclusion: Pasta was invented via trial and error.

[BenLurkin]

Heh!

[gathersnomoss]

....strip wires....

[bunkerhill7]

I spilled my milk.

[SunkenCiv]

And those wear marks or dents in the dentition is where the pasta creators got the term al dente.

[SunkenCiv]

That’s because you’ve lost your milk teeth.

[SunkenCiv]