van Hattum, I, Irish, JD and De Groote, I (2025) Subsistence and Behavioral Variation in the Neolithic Meuse Basin (BE): Insights From Dental Collections. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 186 (4). ISSN 2692-7691

Text Subsistence and Physiological Stress and Behavioral variation in the Neolithic Meuse Basin BE Insights From Dental Collections.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 17 April 2026. Download (3MB)

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to investigate the Neolithic subsistence and population diversity in the 4th and 3rd millennia bce within Belgium's Meuse basin. The main objectives are to shed light on lifeways and cultural differences among groups known from collective cave burials. It focuses on dietary habits and behavioral practices through dental anthropology. Materials and Methods Commingled dental collections from four cave sites (Ben Ahin, La Faucille, Maurenne, and Bois Madame) were analyzed. A total of 1916 permanent teeth were examined for various oral conditions, including caries, calculus, dental wear patterns, trauma, and chipping. Results Oral health conditions and dental wear patterns were in line with those associated with terrestrial diets and farming-related subsistence. Inter-site comparisons revealed significant variability in dental indicators of diet, health, and behavior between groups. Variations were found in caries and calculus prevalence. Also, significant differences in chipping and extra-masticatory wear are evident. Discussion The findings support hypotheses of agricultural subsistence and provide evidence for group differentiation. Distinct habits for food processing or material cultures were evident among populations. Conclusion This study highlights inter-site variations within four Neolithic cave burials in the Belgian Meuse basin.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:van Hattum, I., Irish, J.D. and De Groote, I. (2025), Subsistence and Behavioral Variation in the Neolithic Meuse Basin (BE): Insights From Dental Collections. Am J Biol Anthropol, 186: e70038. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70038 , which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70038. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions:	Biological and Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Wiley
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	23 Apr 2025 15:49
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2025 15:49
DOI or ID number:	10.1002/ajpa.70038
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26218

View Item