Cutmarks andpost-mortem striations in fossil human teeth

A sample of 24 teeth from 10 human fossils have been examined by Scanning Electron Microscope. Large striations attributable to feeding behavior (dental cutmarks) and/or topost-mortem damage have been found in five of the specimens (Broken Hill, Tabun I, Skhul 4, La Quina 5 and Malarnaud). At high magnification, it is possible to observe differences between the internal morphology of these structures andpost-mortem striations that were probably inadvertently made during the process of study and cleaning the fossil remains. Cutmarks can be related to the behavior of placing meat or other matter between the anterior teeth while cutting pieces of it with a stone tool. The presence of this type of scratching on the enamel surface of teeth might be indirectly used as indicative of meat consumption.