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Zelalem Bedaso, Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton

Ancient teeth reveal clues to the environment humans’ early ancestors evolved in millions of years ago

Chemicals in your tooth enamel record evidence of your diet that can last millions of years. Zelalem Bedaso

Teeth are like tiny biological time capsules. They tell stories about ancient diets and environments long after their owners have died and landscapes have changed.

After bones break down, tooth enamel stays hard and unchanged, even in fossilized teeth that have been buried under sediment and rock for millions of years and are now being uncovered by erosion or excavation.

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