| Abstract: |
Human teeth play a significant role in the reconstruction of biological life parameters. Dental modifications supply additional valuable insights into past human cultural behavior. At the Early Iron Age sites of Gò Ô Chùa (400-100 BC) and Prohear (main mortuary period 200 BC-AD 100), various patterns of intravitam dental staining have been found. Systematic visual analysis is presented here as a method for the thorough documentation and subsequent differentiation of specific staining patterns. Using evidence from ethnographical, historical and archaeological studies, the main pattern seen is interpreted as intentional tooth blackening. Since tooth blackening affects almost all adult individuals from Gò Ô Chùa, the custom was of high social relevance. Additionally, one individual shows staining interpreted as the unintentional result of betel nut chewing.
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