Teeth are the unsung heroes of anthropology. They are an incredibly rich source of information, and yet people hardly think about them unless they are causing pain. Because teeth preserve better than any other part of he body, much of what we know about ancient populations is based on their teeth. Shara Bailey, course instructor, is an expert in studying teeth of past populations. In this course we will learn about:

1. How anthropologists use bumps and grooves on the teeth to inform us on geographic ancestry.
2. How growth rings, similar to tree rings, can tell anthropologists how old someone was.
3. What the microscopic scratches on your teeth can tell us about your diet.
4. How cavities and periodontal disease can inform us about diet and health of people in the past.

Dr. Bailey will provide a slide presentation and have some sample teeth for learners to examine.

About the instructor: Dr. Shara Bailey

Shara Bailey is a professor of anthropology and director of the Center for the Study of Human Origins at New York University. Her research focuses on answering questions about human evolution from a dental perspective. While she often studies Neanderthals and modern human origins, some of her research extends back to our early ancestors.
Dr. Bailey is frequently called upon to diagnose and interpret new fossil finds, and her research has been featured on National Public Radio, The History Channel, National Geographic, and the PBS documentary series, NOVA.