Brief communication: First evidence of LSAMAT in non-native Americans: Historic Senegalese from West Africa

Abstract

To date, the distinctive dental wear pattern known as LSAMAT, or "lingual surface attrition of the maxillary anterior teeth," has been documented in prehistoric samples from Brazil, Panama, and Puerto Rico only. However, new data from a historic Senegalese sample reveals the first example of this wear pattern outside the Americas. The Senegal LSAMAT is present in 45% of 22 adult crania, and is associated with a caries rate of 40% in 38 adults (6.7% of 534 permanent teeth). A correlation between LSAMAT and caries was also observed in the Latin American samples. In these cases, it was hypothesized that LSAMAT was caused by the specialized consumption of an abrasive, high carbohydrate food, such as manioc. Manioc is a common cultigen in Senegal; thus, it may have also caused the African LSAMAT. The chewing of sugar cane could have been an additional, contributing factor.

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