Paleoresearch

The contents of calculus from both human and animal teeth can be examined to provide a variety of information.  For instance, when examining calculus from human teeth, one expects to find various debris from foods or medicines that the person had ingested.  Pollen, phytoliths, and starch all have been observed in human tooth calculus.  Starches often are the most abundant remain, although in some historic teeth phytoliths far outnumber the starches.  In addition, fibers might be present as a result of crafting. Animal tooth calculus (i.e., bison) might be examined to recover phytoliths that identify habitats or even geographical ranges where the animal fed.  Generally, phytoliths are the most abundant remain recovered.