UC Davis

Dental calculus, enamel plaque that has undergone mineralization and adheres to tooth surfaces, can entrap biomolecules and micro-debris that were present prior to mineralization. As such, it serves as a potential reservoir for direct evidence of dietary components. Held in the mineral matrix biomolecules such as DNA and proteins are protected from diagenesis and can be solubilized and analyzed by modern analytical methods. Here, we present a proteomic analysis of calculus samples from the Sanchez Adobe individuals, and compare these results to a small set of 11 Indigenous individuals that pre-date the missions. Bioinformatic analysis of mass spectrometry data identifies elements of both pre- and post-contact diets. Our results show evidence both of the incorporation of introduced foodstuffs, as well as persistence of pre-contact dietary traditions.