Investigating the dentoalveolar complex in archaeological human skull specimens: Additional Findings with large volume micro-CT compared to standard methods

Abstract

Archaeological investigation of the dentoalveolar complex in situ within a human skullrequires detailed measurements using non-invasive techniques. Standard macroscopicand radiographic methods have limitations but large volume micro-computed tomogra-phy (LV micro-CT) scanning has the potential to acquire data at high resolution inmicrons. In this study, archaeological specimens are analyzed using three-dimensionaldata visualization software from LV micro-CT scans with the aims of (1) determiningwhether LV micro-CT can act as a single technique to provide detailed analysis of thedentoalveolar complex and (2) how findings from the LV micro-CT technique comparewith standard methods. These aims are explored by measuring a range of human skullspecimens from a rare archaeological sample requiring non-invasive methods, for multi-ple dental and alveolar bone health categories. The LV micro-CT technique was theonlymethod to provide a full range of detailed measurements across all categoriesstudied. A combination of macroscopic and radiographic techniques covered a numberof categories, but the use of multiple methods was more time consuming, did notprovide the same level of accuracy, and did not include all measurements. There werehigh levels of reproducibility for intra-operator scoring and good inter-operator agree-ment from four operators with one operator whose results were outliers. As a furtherinvestigation of the potential of the LV micro-CT technique, an additional individual, afragile, fragmented skull of an infant was studied. This investigation confirms the valueof LV micro-CT scanning as a non-invasive, accurate, single technique for the extensiveanalysis of the dentoalveolar complex within archaeological skulls, which also allowsthe relationship of different tissues to be studied in situ.