Trent University
MyTrent
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Trent Online
    • Summer Courses
    • Continuing Education
    • Study Abroad
    • Academic Calendar
    • Academic Timetable
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Academic Advising
    • Library
    • Centre for Teaching and Learning
  • Admissions
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Services & Support
    • Academic Advising
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Administrative Departments
    • Alumni Services
    • Athletics
    • Campus Security
    • Careerspace
    • Colleges
    • Communications
    • Conferences
    • Financial Aid
    • Financial Services
    • Health & Wellness
    • Indigenous Services
    • Information Technology
    • International Students
    • Learning Support
    • Parking
    • Printshop
    • Recruitment
    • Registrar's Office
    • Residence & Housing
    • Student Clubs
    • TrentU Card
  • Research
    • Research at Trent
    • Research Centres
    • Find an Expert
    • Resources
  • Give to Trent
  • About Trent
    • About Trent
    • Careers
    • Giving to Trent
    • Governance
    • How to Find Us
    • Media
    • News & Events
    • President's Office
    • Staff Directory
    • Trent Facts
    • Contact Us
  • Campus Locations
    • Peterborough
    • Durham GTA
    • Online
  • Future Students
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Trent Forward: COVID-19 Info
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Map
  • Careers
  • Directions
  • Library
  • Site Map
  • Bookstore
Skip to main content Home
  • Peterborough
  • Durham GTA
  • Online
  • MyTrent
MENU
Trent University
News and Events
  • Latest News
  • Trent Experts
  • For Media
  • For Faculty and Staff
  • Publications
  • Contact Us
  1. Trentu.ca
  2. News and Events

Dental Analysis Research at Trent Reveals Aspects of Ancient Life in Belize

November 11, 2020
Share This Story

Students and faculty contribute to larger body of knowledge after successful reopening of Trent Durham lab

Ph.D. working on research in a lab

Teeth can reveal a lot of intriguing data about the people they belonged to, even teeth from over 500 years ago. Now that lab facilities at Trent University Durham GTA have safely re-opened, student and faculty researchers are examining ancient dental samples from the Ka'Kabish Archaeological Research Project (KARP) in close detail, excited to discover more about things like diet—even social and political status.

The Ka'Kabish Archaeological Research Project (KARP) provides Trent students with the opportunity to excavate an ancient Maya ruin in the Belize rain forest and analyze artifacts in the lab back on campus.

“What we learn through this study will help us fill out the other details about life at Ka’Kabish,” states Dr. Helen R. Haines, associate professor of Anthropology at Trent Durham, and KARP director.

Drilling Down

“I’m pretty confident now in tooth identification,” says Devon Howell, an incoming M.A. Anthropology student who meticulously analysed 509 teeth. “It’s a skill set that takes a while to develop.” 

The team is also studying factors including decay and accumulated calculus (fossilised plaque) which can indicate overall dental health and the types of foods and plants eaten.

“By knowing these plants, we can learn about agricultural practices,” explains Professor Haines. “I hope to share with the local populations to improve the current land management conditions.”

The research also examines intentional modifications to the teeth, possibly providing clues to social or political affiliation, or life milestones such as marriage.

The dental analysis being conducted at Trent Durham will contribute to previous work conducted at the KARP site, including dietary and health research by former M.A. Anthropology student, Grant Smith. It will also add to findings in areas such as consumption patterns, status, pathologies, migration patterns and genetic illness.

“It is a big team effort,” states Dr. Jennifer Newton, assistant professor of Anthropology who brought passion for dental anthropology and bioarchaeological expertise to the project. “It gives us a better picture of what was happening.”

After more research, the team is hoping to officially share their work. Prof. Haines is hopeful that excavation work can resume at the site in Belize next year.

Back in the lab

To ensure a safe re-entry to Trent Durham facilities, staff and faculty followed strict protocols for space, logistics, sanitation, and research.

“Now that we’re able to open the lab, and get back to work, it has given us a chance to focus on the analysis of the material,” observes Prof. Haines.

As for being back in the lab, Prof. Haines is enthused—“It feels amazing!”

Read more about Trent’s Belize Field School.

Find other stories about: durham, Oshawa, research

Share This Story

You Might Also Like

Older adults participating in the Sharing Dance program

Shall We Dance? Arts-based Aging Research Shares Joyful Collaboration

Image of Jeannette Menzies in Trent University's Alumni House

A World of Curiosity: Jeannette Menzies, Canada’s Ambassador to Iceland

a photo of doug and marjorlaine boutin-sweet wearing sunglasses and smiling standing infront of the ocean. in the top right corner there is a photo of the same couple from the 1970's at their wedding. doug is on the left wearing a suit and glasses, and marjorlaine is on the right with curled hair, glasses, and a white dress.

Show your Trent Love for Valentines with a Personal #TrentOGram

Trent University logo
Challenge the Way You Think

Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

Peterborough

1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough, ON Canada, K9L 0G2

Toll Free: 1-855-MY-TRENT

Campus Map

Durham Greater Toronto Area

55 Thornton Road South
Oshawa, ON Canada, L1J 5Y1

Phone: 905-435-5100

Campus Map

Social Media Directory
  • Contact
  • Directions
  • Site Map
  • Accessibility
  • @ Copyright 2023 Trent University