Prevalence of Torus Mandibularis in Viking Age Icelanders

• Main Authors: Richter, S; University of Iceland, Faculty of Odontology; [e-mail], Eliasson, ST
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: International Association for Paleodontology; [e-mail] 2012
• Subjects: Torus Mandibularis; Viking Age Icelanders; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hrcak.srce.hr/95442; http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/140565

Of 48 available crania dated older than 1104AD, from the archaeological site of Skeljastadir in Thorsardalur, Iceland, 24 (50%) had torus mandibularis. There was no sex difference observed. The prevalence is similar among other populations in the northern hemisphere from the same time period. According to a number of authors, environmental and functional factors, particularly high masticatory activity, play a predominant part in the etiology. People from artic- and subartic areas survived on an animal diet, mostly fish and meat, but people living further south in a more temperate climate had more of an agricultural diet. Higher prevalence was found in the age group above 36 years than in the group 35 years and below. The majority of the tori were small or medium in size. The most frequently occurring variant was the multiple bilateral form, followed by the multiple unilateral form. The prevalence of torus mandibularis in the study was much higher than found in modern Iceland.