The dental microwear analysis (DMA) focuses on diet reconstructions, being able to provide proxy indicators of some events regarding technological shifts in food processing and social hierarchy and differences between individuals. Although DMA approaches diet characterization in ancient times, medieval samples have received limited attention, especially in Eastern Europe. The aim of this article is to explore, identify, and describe within-group patterns of dental microwear variation depending on sex and anatomic position (i.e., left/right, superior/inferior). The bioarchaeological material belongs to the Princely Court Necropolis of the seventeenth century discovered in Iasi (Romania)—the former capital city of Medieval Moldavia. We analyzed the micromorphological features on the occlusal surface of the second molar tooth through scanning electronic microscopy and imaging. Quantification of the microwear features (i.e., fine and coarse scratches, small and large pits) along with their bidimensional measurements (i.e., length and width) has been subjected to multivariate analysis. Our results show heterogeneous distribution of the microwear features within the analyzed second molars. Although the general microwear profile is dominated by fine and coarse scratches, large pits are also present. We can generally characterize the food as abrasive and relatively hard. In females, there are two microwear profiles highlighted based on the molar laterality, which suggests the use of the right side of the oral cavity to process harder foods. In males, the microwear profile is homogeneous and does not differ by laterality; it shows a great affinity with the pattern of the female right molars.

中文翻译：

---

罗马尼亚Iasi市17世纪人口中的牙齿微服作为饮食指标

牙齿微磨损分析（DMA）专注于饮食重建，能够提供有关食品加工技术变化和社会等级以及个人之间差异的一些事件的代理指标。尽管DMA在古代就可以进行饮食特征描述，但中世纪的样品受到的关注有限，尤其是在东欧。本文的目的是根据性别和解剖位置（即，左/右，上/下）探索，识别和描述牙齿微磨损变化的组内模式。生物考古学材料属于十七世纪的王子陵墓，它是在罗马尼亚中世纪首都摩尔多瓦的首府亚西（罗马尼亚）发现的。我们通过扫描电子显微镜和成像分析了第二颗磨牙的咬合面上的微观形态特征。微磨损特征（即细小和粗糙的划痕，小和大的凹痕）及其二维测量值（即长度和宽度）的量化已进行了多变量分析。我们的结果表明，在分析的第二磨牙中微磨损特征的分布不均。尽管一般的微磨损特征主要是细小和粗糙的划痕，但也存在大的凹坑。我们通常可以将食物描述为具有磨蚀性和相对坚硬的食物。在女性中，基于磨牙的偏侧性突出显示了两种微磨损特征，这建议使用口腔的右侧来加工较硬的食物。在男性中 微磨损轮廓是均匀的，并且在侧向方面没有差异；它与女性右磨牙的图案表现出极大的亲和力。