Plant Microfossils Recovered from Dental Calculus at Casas Grandes, Mexico

Dental calculus from ancient human remains at Paquimé, Casas Grandes, Mexico, has revealed microfossils that provide unprecedented insights into prehistoric flora and dietary practices. Analysis of 112 silica-embedded samples identified plant microfossils, shedding light on the types of vegetation present during ancient times and their potential uses—whether as food or processing materials. This study, part of a broader multinational project, demonstrates how microfossil analysis can reconstruct paleoenvironments and human-plant interactions with remarkable precision.

King, Daniel, AUTHOR (University Of Missouri); Searcy, Michael, AUTHOR (Brigham Young University); Waller, Kyle, AUTHOR (Brigham Young University). (2016). Plant Microfossils Recovered from Dental Calculus at Casas Grandes, Mexico. 2016 Southwest Symposium. https://doi.org/10.6067/XCV8S1848N