Social Science

Ancient Maya Teeth

Editorial: University of Texas Press

ISBN: 9781477327579

Pub: 2025-01-01

Dental modification was common across ancient societies, but perhaps none were more avid practitioners than the Maya. They filed their teeth flat or pointy, polished and drilled them, and crafted decorative inlays of jade and pyrite. Unusually, Maya of all social classes, ages, and professions engaged in dental modification. What did it mean to them?