Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Dental wear can reveal past human behavior, offering insight into diet, daily activities and cultural practices (Berbesque et al., 2012; Deter, 2009; Estalrrich & Rosas, 2015; Górka, 2016; Molnar, 2008; Smith, 1984; Watson, 2014). Dental wear can reconstruct past life when other evidence is limited. This paper will address whether dental wear patterns observed in two medieval Hungarian populations, Kiskundorozsma–Kettőshatár I (KK) and SárrétudvariHízóföld (S), reflect sexual dimorphism patterns seen in hunter-gatherer vs. agriculturalist populations. Previous research demonstrates clear differences in wear between high- and lowwear subsistence strategies, whereas other studies report minimal or no sexual dimorphism and little variation across subsistence types. These studies are included to highlight the variability in wear patterns across populations, time periods and subsistence strategies. Sexual differences are evident in male and female wear patterns; however, they are not statistically significant. Difference in wear patterns can be caused by sex-based labor differences or diet variation (Berbesque et al., 2012; Deter, 2009; Górka, 2016; Smith, 2984; Watson, 2014). It is important to note that medieval Hungarian populations are understudied, particularly in dental-wear research. Eastern/Central Europe has a distinguished past, including multiple periods of conquest, making it an important subject for research. This paper aims to examine dental wear patterns in two medieval Hungarian populations by addressing sexual differences and anterior vs posterior teeth to decipher whether patterns are most closely associated with hunter-gatherer, agricultural or neither. Both populations are expected to resemble dental wear patterns similar to those of agriculturalists (lower overall wear and minimal sexual dimorphism).

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