Skip to product information
1 of 1

Shulph Ink

Dental Cementum in Anthropology

Dental Cementum in Anthropology

YOU SAVE £5.00

Regular price £120.00 GBP
Regular price £125.00 GBP Sale price £120.00 GBP
4% OFF Sold out
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
  • Condition: Brand new
  • UK Delivery times: Usually arrives within 2 - 3 working days
  • UK Shipping: Fee starts at £2.39. Subject to product weight & dimension
Trustpilot 4.5 stars rating  Excellent
We're rated excellent on Trustpilot.
  • More about Dental Cementum in Anthropology

Tooth enamel and dentin are the most studied hard tissues used to explore hominin evolution, life history, diet, health, and culture. Cementum, the interface between the alveolar bone and the root dentin, remains the least studied dental tissue. This interdisciplinary volume presents state-of-the-art studies in cementum analysis and its broad interpretative potential in anthropology, with a focus on cementum biology, optimized multi-species and standardized protocols, and innovative applications in zooarchaeology, paleodemography, bioarchaeology, paleoanthropology, and forensic anthropology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 420 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press


Tooth enamel and dentin, two of the most extensively studied hard tissues, have played a pivotal role in unraveling the intricacies of hominin evolution, life history, diet, health, and culture. However, one dental tissue that has received relatively less attention despite its unique growth pattern, which spans a lifetime, is cementum. Surprisingly, since the 1950s, cementum, the interface between the alveolar bone and the root dentin, has remained the least studied dental tissue. This interdisciplinary volume aims to rectify this oversight by presenting cutting-edge studies on cementum analysis and its vast interpretative potential in anthropology.

The first section of the book delves into the biology of cementum, providing a comprehensive understanding of its composition, structure, and development. It explores the cellular processes that contribute to cementum formation, the factors that influence its growth, and the role it plays in tooth function and health. By shedding light on the biological aspects of cementum, this section lays the foundation for subsequent chapters that explore its archaeological applications.

The second section of the book focuses on optimizing multi-species and standardized protocols for accurately estimating age and season at death using cementum. Recognizing the challenges associated with aging and seasonality in dental tissues, researchers have developed innovative techniques to overcome these limitations. These protocols involve the analysis of cementum microstructures, mineral content, and chemical markers, allowing for precise age determination across different species and time periods.

The final section of the book showcases innovative applications of cementochronology in zooarchaeology, paleodemography, bioarchaeology, paleoanthropology, and forensic anthropology. By leveraging the unique properties of cementum, researchers have been able to develop new insights into past and current human and animal populations. Case studies and examples illustrate how cementochronology has contributed to our understanding of population dynamics, migration patterns, dietary habits, and disease history.

In addition to the scientific content, this book is enriched with numerous illustrations of cementum histology, providing a visual reference for scholars and students. These illustrations not only enhance the understanding of cementum's structure and development but also serve as a valuable resource for future research. Furthermore, the book includes an extensive online resource section, which includes supplementary materials, references, and further reading suggestions, making it an invaluable tool for those interested in studying past and current human and animal populations.

In conclusion, Cementum: A Comprehensive Analysis and Its Archaeological Applications is a groundbreaking work that fills a significant gap in our understanding of dental tissues. By presenting state-of-the-art studies on cementum analysis and its broad interpretative potential, this book offers a valuable resource for scholars and researchers across various disciplines. With its comprehensive coverage, rich illustrations, and online resources, it provides the perfect toolkit for scholars interested in studying past and current human and animal populations.

Weight: 1006g
Dimension: 177 x 250 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108477086

UK and International shipping information

UK Delivery and returns information:

  • Delivery within 2 - 3 days when ordering in the UK.
  • Shipping fee for UK customers from £2.39. Fully tracked shipping service available.
  • Returns policy: Return within 30 days of receipt for full refund.

International deliveries:

Shulph Ink now ships to Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, New Zealand, United States of America, Belgium, India, United Arab Emirates.

  • Delivery times: within 5 - 10 days for international orders.
  • Shipping fee: charges vary for overseas orders. Only tracked services are available for international orders.
  • Customs charges: If ordering to addresses outside the United Kingdom, you may or may not incur additional customs and duties fees during local delivery.
View full details