Papers by Herrera Atoche, Ruben
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2019
2Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
3Applied Pale... more 2Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
3Applied PaleoScience, Bothell, Washington
Correspondence
Andrea Cucina, Facultad de Ciencias Antropológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km 1 Carretera Mérida-Tizimin, 97305 Merida, Yucatán, Mexico.
Email: [email protected]
James C. Chatters, Applied Paleoscience, 10322 NE 190th St, Bothell, Washington, 98011.
Email: [email protected]
Funding information
DirectAMS; Archaeological Institute of America; INAH; Waitt Foundation; National Geographic Society
| James C. Chatters3

Abstract
Objectives: To increase understanding of the subsistence practices of the first Americans through analysis of the near-complete dentition of a young woman dating to the terminal Pleistocene of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
Materials and Methods: The skeleton is that of “Naia” a 15 to 17-year-old female from the submerged natural trap of Hoyo Negro found in association with remains of numerous extinct species of megafauna. Superbly preserved remains included the skull with 28 teeth, which are analyzed for evidence of caries, periodontal disease, wear patterns, and malocclusion.
Results: Naia exhibits a high frequency of dental caries, along with aggressive peri- odontal disease that threatened all her teeth, particularly her incisors. Dental attrition was extremely light for a hunter-gatherer, reaching to four on the Molnar scale on only one tooth. Lack of wear is associated with severe mandibular retrognathia, and low masticatory forces.
Discussion: Naia's dental condition is compared with that of other northern Paleo- americans, mostly females, dating before 11,000 cal BP. These exhibit a high degree of variability in both caries and tooth wear. All, however, exhibit rapid anterior wear owing to technological use of the front teeth. Naia exhibits the highest rate of caries, similar to that of the earliest South Americans, and one of the lowest rates of attri- tion. This demonstrates that she had a nonabrasive diet that was at least seasonally rich in carbohydrates. This does not mean her diet was low in meat, however, because similarly light dental attrition is seen in the Arch Lake female, a Paleo- american from a big-game hunting society.
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Papers by Herrera Atoche, Ruben
3Applied PaleoScience, Bothell, Washington
Correspondence
Andrea Cucina, Facultad de Ciencias Antropológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km 1 Carretera Mérida-Tizimin, 97305 Merida, Yucatán, Mexico.
Email: [email protected]
James C. Chatters, Applied Paleoscience, 10322 NE 190th St, Bothell, Washington, 98011.
Email: [email protected]
Funding information
DirectAMS; Archaeological Institute of America; INAH; Waitt Foundation; National Geographic Society
| James C. Chatters3

Abstract
Objectives: To increase understanding of the subsistence practices of the first Americans through analysis of the near-complete dentition of a young woman dating to the terminal Pleistocene of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
Materials and Methods: The skeleton is that of “Naia” a 15 to 17-year-old female from the submerged natural trap of Hoyo Negro found in association with remains of numerous extinct species of megafauna. Superbly preserved remains included the skull with 28 teeth, which are analyzed for evidence of caries, periodontal disease, wear patterns, and malocclusion.
Results: Naia exhibits a high frequency of dental caries, along with aggressive peri- odontal disease that threatened all her teeth, particularly her incisors. Dental attrition was extremely light for a hunter-gatherer, reaching to four on the Molnar scale on only one tooth. Lack of wear is associated with severe mandibular retrognathia, and low masticatory forces.
Discussion: Naia's dental condition is compared with that of other northern Paleo- americans, mostly females, dating before 11,000 cal BP. These exhibit a high degree of variability in both caries and tooth wear. All, however, exhibit rapid anterior wear owing to technological use of the front teeth. Naia exhibits the highest rate of caries, similar to that of the earliest South Americans, and one of the lowest rates of attri- tion. This demonstrates that she had a nonabrasive diet that was at least seasonally rich in carbohydrates. This does not mean her diet was low in meat, however, because similarly light dental attrition is seen in the Arch Lake female, a Paleo- american from a big-game hunting society.
3Applied PaleoScience, Bothell, Washington
Correspondence
Andrea Cucina, Facultad de Ciencias Antropológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km 1 Carretera Mérida-Tizimin, 97305 Merida, Yucatán, Mexico.
Email: [email protected]
James C. Chatters, Applied Paleoscience, 10322 NE 190th St, Bothell, Washington, 98011.
Email: [email protected]
Funding information
DirectAMS; Archaeological Institute of America; INAH; Waitt Foundation; National Geographic Society
| James C. Chatters3

Abstract
Objectives: To increase understanding of the subsistence practices of the first Americans through analysis of the near-complete dentition of a young woman dating to the terminal Pleistocene of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
Materials and Methods: The skeleton is that of “Naia” a 15 to 17-year-old female from the submerged natural trap of Hoyo Negro found in association with remains of numerous extinct species of megafauna. Superbly preserved remains included the skull with 28 teeth, which are analyzed for evidence of caries, periodontal disease, wear patterns, and malocclusion.
Results: Naia exhibits a high frequency of dental caries, along with aggressive peri- odontal disease that threatened all her teeth, particularly her incisors. Dental attrition was extremely light for a hunter-gatherer, reaching to four on the Molnar scale on only one tooth. Lack of wear is associated with severe mandibular retrognathia, and low masticatory forces.
Discussion: Naia's dental condition is compared with that of other northern Paleo- americans, mostly females, dating before 11,000 cal BP. These exhibit a high degree of variability in both caries and tooth wear. All, however, exhibit rapid anterior wear owing to technological use of the front teeth. Naia exhibits the highest rate of caries, similar to that of the earliest South Americans, and one of the lowest rates of attri- tion. This demonstrates that she had a nonabrasive diet that was at least seasonally rich in carbohydrates. This does not mean her diet was low in meat, however, because similarly light dental attrition is seen in the Arch Lake female, a Paleo- american from a big-game hunting society.