Medieval Scotsman's Gold Dental Bridge Unearthed in Aberdeen
A 20-karat gold wire dental bridge, Scotland's oldest, was found on a mandible excavated from St. Nicholas Kirk in Aberdeen. The man, who died between 1460 and 1670 C.E., likely wore the ligature for a substantial period. The bridge may have been both functional and cosmetic, indicating high social status. The discovery was part of a larger research project on temporal health trends in Scotland.
Key facts
- The gold wire is 20-karat and was attached to the lower front teeth.
- The mandible was found in 2006 during an excavation at St. Nicholas Kirk, Aberdeen.
- About 900 skeletons and four tons of bones were excavated.
- The man died between 1460 and 1670 C.E.
- Only one out of 100 assessed remains had clear dental work.
- The wire indented the teeth, suggesting long-term wear.
- The man was likely upper-class based on burial location.
- Dental ligatures are rare in European archaeology before the 17th century.
Entities
Institutions
- British Dental Journal
- St. Nicholas Kirk
- Baltimore College of Dental Surgery
Locations
- Aberdeen
- Scotland
- Pakistan
- Slovenia
- Egypt
- Poland