Heavily worn teeth are one of the most prominent features of archaeological and fossil hominid dentitions. This chapter describes in detail the different patterns of wear and distinguishes between wear resulting from deliberate modification and wear resulting from contact with food and other residues in the mouth. It shows how different aspects of this wear can be measured and described, on both macroscopic and microscopic scales. In addition, it explores the possible mechanisms of wear and critically reviews the evidence that wear pattern provides for diet and non-dietary uses of teeth in the past.
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