The Tales Teeth Tell: Development, Evolution, Behavior

by Tanya M. Smith

What teeth can tell us about human evolution, development, and behavior.

Our teeth have intriguing stories to tell. These sophisticated time machines record growth, diet, and evolutionary history as clearly as tree rings map a redwood's lifespan. Each day of childhood is etched into tooth crowns and roots—capturing birth, nursing history, environmental clues, and illnesses. The study of ancient, fossilized teeth sheds light on how our ancestors grew up, how we evolved, and how prehistoric cultural transitions continue to affect humans today. In The Tales Teeth Tell, biological anthropologist Tanya Smith offers an engaging and surprising look at what teeth tell us about the evolution of primates—including our own uniqueness.

Humans' impressive set of varied teeth provides a multipurpose toolkit honed by the diet choices of our mammalian ancestors. Fossil teeth, highly resilient because of their substantial mineral content, are all that is left of some long-extinct species. Smith explains how researchers employ painstaking techniques to coax microscopic secrets from these enigmatic remains. Counting tiny daily lines provides a way to estimate age that is more powerful than any other forensic technique. Dental plaque—so carefully removed by dental hygienists today—records our ancestors' behavior and health in the form of fossilized food particles and bacteria, including their DNA. Smith also traces the grisly origins of dentistry, reveals that the urge to pick one's teeth is not unique to humans, and illuminates the age-old pursuit of “dental art.” The book is generously illustrated with original photographs, many in color.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Anthropology, History, Biology, Evolution, Health

296 pages, Hardcover

Published October 23, 2018

About the author

Tanya M. Smith is an Associate Professor in the Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. She has held a professorship at Harvard University, and fellowships at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

You really need to be far more interested in teeth than I am to fully enjoy this book. Ms. Smith is an academic human evolutionary biologist and does a pretty good job of explaining her subject in an enthusiastic and simplified manner. It is obvious she’s talking in her “professor to student” mode. I had hoped for more anthropology and less time with an electron microscope.

[Paleoanthro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a valuable introduction into the how teeth reflect so much of our biology, in an engaging and accessible narrative. Learn about the development, evolution and cultural significance of teeth in a blend of personal narrative and science that is skillfully written and an absolute pleasure to read.

[Aislin Noël · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offered new surprises on every page and the author's passion for teeth is evident in each word. This was a fantastically interesting read and encourage anyone feeling a little curious about what your teeth might say about you to pick it up immediately! :)

[Amy Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with around 40 high school sophomores in my science book club. It was a challenging book for them in terms of some of the science presented, but they enjoyed reading it. Our discussions were fun. The topics were engaging, and I don't think any of us will look at teeth the same way again.

[Scotia Mullin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little underwhelmed at this book! While aspects of where interesting I thing sometimes the scientific leaps were a bit far.
I think sometimes the idea of an objective scientist was forgotten.
I think this is a great overall introduction to teeth but make sure if you are interested in teeth you do a little wider reading.

[The Inquisitive Biologist · Rating 5 out of 5]

An elegant and beautifully illustrated book, The Tales Teeth Tell shows there is much more to be said on the topic of teeth and human evolution. See my full review at https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2019...

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastisch! Dr. Smith‘s passion really shines through.