Anatomo-morphological particulars of the pendant from human molar from deposit component at carbuna

Abstract

Background. The Eneolithic deposit at Carbuna (Republic of Moldova) (5th millennium BC) was accidentally pointed out in the fall of 1961 by local school students. Although the repository has benefited from several publications, the piece we are referring to has only been briefly addressed. Our approach consists in its anatomical-morphological study. Materials and methods. Analysis of literature data and the use of non-invasive research methods (odontoscopy, odontometry, radiovision, digital microscopy) of the pendant from a human molar. Results. After the analysis, we determined that the tooth is the lower second molar with four cusps of the gracile odontological type. The enamel of the crown along the perimeter is missing, but on the occlusal side visible traces of pronounced functional abrasion are present. The molar was extracted, in all probability, post-mortem. A few perforations can be seen on the upper and middle third of the root. As a result of measuring the diameter of the holes with a digital ruler on the X-ray image, the following values were established: at the cervical level, vestibular – 8,0 mm, lingual – 3,0 mm and lower (blind) from the lingual side - 4.0 mm. At the same time, by direct measurements of the height and width of the tooth with a caliper, the following parameters of the crown were obtained: medio-distal – 10,0 mm, vestibulo-lingual – 7,8 mm, cervical – 8,0 mm, as well as of the tooth , which has a medial height – 19,0 mm and a distal height – 16,0 mm. Conclusions. As a result of the visual analysis and the use of non-invasive methods, certain anatomical-morphological peculiarities of the pendant from a human molar were highlighted. This piece is of particular scientific interest both from the point of view of dental evolution and the influence of feeding on hard dental tissues.