On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 04:24:46 -0500, Keith Thomas <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


> Anthopologists often deduce from the most worn teeth that they became
> worn by chewing meat
> rather than plants.  Can't see it myself.  If you were eating
> root/tuberous plants they would more
> likely have in them silica, quartz and other grit from the soil etc.  It
> is the grit that would wear the
> teeth far more than the plants or meats themselves.

I agree, however Stefansson wrote that Inuit used teeth as tools,
resulting in the wear he saw.
OTOH good flint for making cutting/grinding tools was probably rare in
that area. IIRC it was Western Arctic Canada, same area I was.

William



--
Abandon the search for Truth; settle for a good fantasy.