The Gunk on Old Teeth Could Help Scientists Map Ancient Migrations
The DNA in dental plaque contains a gold mine of information about the past—and may even help demystify the settlement of Polynesia.
Left undisturbed by brushing and flossing, the bacteria in your mouth will form a sticky film called plaque. Left further undisturbed, plaque will turn hard and yellow, calcifying on teeth as dental calculus, also known as tartar.
At this point, the tartar is very durable. Just ask , whose 40,000-year-old tartar scientists recently analyzed to figure out the real paleo diet. Tartar grows in layers—almost like tree rings—entombing DNA from
