Abstract

This paper presents dental evidence for culturally induced patterns of tooth wear in precontact skeletons of the Prince Rupert Harbour region, British Columbia. In historic times the area was inhabited by the Coast Tsimshian. Two unrelated types of tooth wear were observed over and above that produced by the processes of mastication. In the mandibles of 12 people, including both sexes, the labial surfaces of anterior tooth crowns were polished. The dentine had been exposed in several instances. These wear patterns could be ascribed to the abrasive action of a stone labret. The second type of wear was evidenced by thin linear grooves on the occlusal surfaces of anterior teeth in five mandibles. All bone were those of females. This type of wear may have resulted from using the teeth to soften cedar bark fibres for the weaving of blankets. Among the historic Tsimshian, this art was the exclusive property of women.