Question

Using evidence found on skeletons and teeth of early agriculturalists. Describe the negative consequences of a shift from food foraging to the domestication of food in terms of pathologic evidence.

Answer 1

Solution:-

Scientists use craniofacial changes to document the negative consequences of a shift from food foraging to the domestication of food. Craniofacial changes occurred in conjunction with the shift to farming, because the types of foods consumed and their degree of softness changed. Foragers consumed tougher foods, requiring a larger chewing apparatus. Their crania were longer front to back, and they had larger faces and jaws along with large masticatory muscles. With the beginning of agriculture and the use of technology for cooking, food, such as grains, was softer, requiring less force to chew. As a result, masticatory muscles reduced in size, creating less mechanical demand on the bones of the face and jaws. Over time, the bones of the face and jaws reduced in size as well. The craniofacial shape of agriculturalists included a less-projecting face and a shorter, wider cranial vault. In addition, the smaller jaws had less room for the teeth. Various types of malocclusion of the teeth occurred as a result.

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