How Long In The Tooth? Discussing The Trials And Tribulations Of Multi-Sampling Human Teeth For Isotope Analysis

In the past 20 years, bioarchaeological development has led to a greater understanding of human tooth formation and growth. Alongside the development of bioarchaeological techniques (i.e., isotope, proteomic, and DNA analyses), we can now recreate the lifeways of past individuals better than ever before. Currently, numerous multi-sampling techniques are being proposed for isotopic analysis, including incremental dentine sampling (slicing or puncturing),
incremental enamel sampling, and in-situ analyses, meaning that dietary and mobility history changes can now be observed across the period of tooth formation.

However, issues surrounding which technique is appropriate to use or prioritise, are beginning to emerge. Whilst robust, human teeth hold a limited volume of material, meaning that all forms of analysis can rarely be applied. Further, many of these techniques have been developed on modern, unworn teeth. Applying them to archaeological, often worn, teeth is also complicated, with techniques requiring adaption, or being impossible altogether.

This paper combines the multi-sampling (enamel and dentine) and multi-isotope data from multiple archaeological sites: Zvejnieki burial ground, (Mesolithic/Neolithic Latvia), Legaire Sur (Neolithic/Chalcolithic, Spain), Wilsford
Henge (Bronze Age, England), Staje (Iron Age, Slovenia), and Koekelberg cemetery (Post-Medieval, Belgium). We review what techniques were appropriate to apply; where, how, and how much to sample, how successful they were,
and what the limitations of the techniques were. The overall aim of this study is to navigate how to appropriately acquire the most lifeway data from a singular tooth, whilst being as minimally destructive as possible.