Starch granules from human teeth: New clues on the Epi-Jomon diet

A pioneering analysis of starch granules from dental calculus reveals new insights into the diet and subsistence practices of the Epi-Jomon population (ca. 350 BCE–350 CE) in Hokkaido, Japan. The study identified five distinct types of starch granules, suggesting consumption of acorns, nuts, bulb or tuber plants, and possibly rice. While individual dietary diversity remains challenging to pinpoint, the findings highlight potential food sources and cultural interactions between hunting-gathering-fishing societies and agrarian communities. This is the first comprehensive examination of how plant microremains in dental calculus reflect Epi-Jomon plant-based diets, offering critical evidence for reconstructing subsistence patterns and cultural exchanges during this period.

Shibutani, A., Aono, T., & Nagaya, Y. (2022). Starch granules from human teeth: New clues on the Epi-Jomon diet. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.907666