An Exceptional Case of Dental Calculus in a Merovingian Skeleton from Mannheim-Seckenheim

摘要

The remains of an individual from grave 595 of the Merovingian cemetery at Mannheim-Seckenheim, excavated between 2001 and 2004, displays extreme deposits of dental calculus. The 1st and 2nd upper right molars of the male aged 50+ were the most affected and almost completely encased by the deposits. The substantial calculus accumulation might be ascribed to the antemortem loss of the occluding teeth which would have rendered normal mastication impossible. Invasive tests to analyse the formation and element composition of the deposits might indicate endogenous factors to be the cause for this oral dysfunction. Aside from the calculus severe dental caries, abrasion, and periodontal disease (particularly periapical defects) were observed. Although there are similar instances of considerable dental calculus in archaeological human remains, this individual is an exceptional case within the Mannheim-Seckenheim assemblage.