Evolution's Bite: A Story of Teeth, Diet, and Human Origins

Peter Ungar's book, "Evolutions Bite," explores how teeth reveal how we became human, combining advances in understanding human evolution with dietary clues from fossil teeth.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 18 December 2018
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Whether we realize it or not, we carry in our mouths the legacy of our evolution. Our teeth are like living fossils that can be studied and compared to those of our ancestors to teach us how we became human. In Evolutions Bite, noted paleoanthropologist Peter Ungar brings together for the first time cutting-edge advances in understanding human evolution with new approaches to uncovering dietary clues from fossil teeth. The result is a remarkable investigation into the ways that teeth—their shape, chemistry, and wear—reveal how we came to be. Traveling the four corners of the globe and combining scientific breakthroughs with vivid narrative, Evolutions Bite presents a unique dental perspective on our astonishing human development.

The book begins by exploring the evolution of our teeth, from the primitive molars of our early ancestors to the complex teeth of modern humans. Ungar explains how teeth are not just tools for eating but also important indicators of our health and diet. He discusses the various types of teeth found in different species and how they have evolved to adapt to different diets. For example, the sharp teeth of carnivores are designed to tear meat, while the flat teeth of herbivores are better suited for grinding plants.

Ungar also delves into the study of fossil teeth, which have provided valuable insights into the diets of ancient humans. He explains how fossil teeth can be analyzed to determine the types of food they were consuming and the nutritional value of their diet. By studying the wear patterns on fossil teeth, researchers can even determine the types of tools that ancient humans used to prepare their food.

One of the most interesting aspects of Evolutions Bite is its focus on the relationship between teeth and culture. Ungar argues that teeth are not just physical structures but also cultural symbols that reflect the values and beliefs of a society. He discusses how different cultures have different dental traditions and how these traditions can provide insights into the history and development of a society.

For example, Ungar explores the dental traditions of the ancient Maya, who had a complex system of tooth replacement and dental care. He explains how the Maya used their teeth to communicate with each other and to mark their social status. By studying the Maya's dental traditions, researchers can gain a better understanding of the Maya's social structure and their beliefs about the afterlife.

Overall, Evolutions Bite is a fascinating and informative book that provides a unique dental perspective on human evolution. Whether you are a dentist, a paleoanthropologist, or just a curious reader, this book will provide you with a new understanding of the ways that teeth reveal our past and shape our future.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 145 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691182834