Investigating the dentoalveolar complex in archaeological human skull specimens: Additional findings with large volume micro-CT compared to standard methods

Archaeological investigation of the dentoalveolar complex in situ within a human skull requires detailed measurements using non-invasive techniques. Standard macroscopic and radiographic methods have limitations but large volume micro-computed tomography (LV micro-CT) scanning has the potential to acquire data at high resolution in microns. In this study, archaeological specimens are analyzed using three-dimensional data visualization software from LV micro-CT scans with the aims of (1) determining whether LV micro-CT can act as a single technique to provide detailed analysis of the dentoalveolar complex and (2) how findings from the LV micro-CT technique compare with standard methods. These aims are explored by measuring a range of human skull specimens from a rare archaeological sample requiring non-invasive methods, for multiple dental and alveolar bone health categories. The LV micro-CT technique was the only method to provide a full range of detailed measurements across all categories studied. A combination of macroscopic and radiographic techniques covered a number of categories, but the use of multiple methods was more time consuming, did not provide the same level of accuracy, and did not include all measurements. There were high levels of reproducibility for intra-operator scoring and good inter-operator agreement from four operators with one operator whose results were outliers. As a further investigation of the potential of the LV micro-CT technique, an additional individual, a fragile, fragmented skull of an infant was studied. This investigation confirms the value of LV micro-CT scanning as a non-invasive, accurate, single technique for the extensive analysis of the dentoalveolar complex within archaeological skulls, which also allows the relationship of different tissues to be studied in situ.