Interpreting Linear Enamel Hypoplasia at the Amastris (Ağlayan Ağaç) Chapel Cemetery From the Eastern Roman Imperial Period Region of Paphlagonia (Türkiye)

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the values of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) observed in the permanent teeth of individuals excavated from a chapel site dated to the Late Eastern Roman Period (6th–9th centuries) through analytical methods. The study is based on LEH findings identified in 148 (37.4%) of 396 permanent teeth belonging to 30/54 individuals. LEH measurements were conducted using two well-established methodologies documented in the literature. The prevalence of LEH suggests that the onset of the weaning process in infancy or early childhood coincided with the emergence of disease-inducing factors, estimated to occur between the ages of 3.5 and 5 years. Comparative evaluation of the two methodological approaches revealed consistent and convergent findings. It is hypothesized that a combination of factors including metabolic disorders, pathological conditions, environmental influences, socialization patterns, poor hygiene, nutritional deficiencies, and suboptimal living conditions contributed to heightened disease susceptibility during the weaning phase. This study presents the first LEH dataset from the Western Black Sea (Paphlagonia) region of Türkiye and contextualizes the findings through comparisons with other coastal harbor communities previously examined in a limited capacity. This research focuses on a comprehensive analysis to help create a more chronological and geographical comprehensive LEH dataset of ancient Anatolian societies in later periods.