TED Talks Daily The hidden history found in your teeth | Carolyn Freiwald
Feb 12, 2021
Carolyn Freiwald is a bioarchaeologist who unveils the secrets hidden in ancient teeth, offering a fascinating glimpse into human migration across the Americas. She discusses how dental analysis can reveal diets, origins, and personal stories, from Mayan royalty to Appalachian farmers. Freiwald shares her journey of collecting dental samples, linking them to rich narratives of 19th-century settlers and enslaved individuals. This exploration highlights the continuous nature of migration and the untold histories that our teeth can uncover.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Common Migration Reasons
- Most people migrate for common reasons like education, jobs, family, or love, not just desperation.
- Human mobility is a fundamental aspect of our nature, evident throughout history.
Bones Tell Stories
- Our bones, including teeth, hold a record of our lives.
- Teeth can reveal details about our ancestry, habits, and even migration patterns.
Tooth Shape and Ancestry
- Teeth reveal dietary habits, like flossing and candy consumption.
- Tooth shape and DNA can indicate ancestry, such as European, African, Asian, or Native American.