Dental Pathologies in Thracian Iron Age Dogs (6th–4th Century BCE)

Abstract

Three dog skeletons were excavated within the archaeological settlement near Chirpan in the historical region of Ancient Thrace, Bulgaria. All animals are of adult age, two females and one male, and with present dental pathologies. According to the osteometry, the dogs are of medium height of a mesaticephalic type. Pathological alterations affect, mainly, the carnassial teeth (M1 and M2). Radiographic images of the teeth detect different types of periodontic and possible endodontic damage. These cases contribute to the study of past animal health regarding the relationship between man and dogs in the past.