Multi-species Perspectives on Anthropogenic Environments: Dental Pathology Patterns, Marquesas Islands (Polynesia)

A multi-species dental pathology analysis of humans, pigs, and dogs from the Marquesas Islands reveals worsening environmental conditions over 600 years of human occupation. Increased calculus and caries suggest dietary shifts adverse to oral health, while rising enamel hypoplasia severity indicates heightened non-specific stressors. Pigs also show evidence of changing human management practices. The study combines species-specific life histories with pathology patterns to link anthropogenic impacts and deteriorating climate to declining conditions across all three species.

Littleton, J., Allen, M. S., & McFarlane, G. (2015). Multi-species Perspectives on Anthropogenic Environments: Dental Pathology Patterns, Marquesas Islands (Polynesia). The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, 10(2), 277–301. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564894.2014.980471