Ancient Vietnamese tooth blackening reveals beauty ritual from 2,000 years ago

Thekabarnews.com—People in northern Vietnam didn’t like bright white smiles two thousand years ago. People instead thought that black lacquered teeth were a strong sign of beauty, maturity, and cultural identity.

A new study in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences has helped us understand this old method better. 

Researchers examined teeth discovered in graves at Dong Xa, dating back between 1,800 and 2,200 years. They also looked at the teeth of someone who lived about 400 years ago.

If the enamel appears darker, it could indicate that iron-rich soil has naturally stained the teeth. It could also be from chewing betel nuts, which are both common in Southeast Asia. 

Scientists used modern, non-destructive tools like scanning electron microscopy and portable X-ray fluorescence to find out if the color change was on purpose. They could use these methods to figure out what chemicals are on the surface of the enamel.

The tests showed that the old teeth had a lot of iron and sulfur in them. This mix shows that iron tannate is forming. Iron tannate is a very dark black pigment that forms when iron salts mix with plant materials that are high in tannins. 

Researchers found higher amounts of iron oxide in a sample from the Iron Age. This means that the paste made from iron was used for more than just coloring things.

The scientists made a traditional mixture that looked like iron gall ink and put it on a modern animal tooth to test their idea. The chemical “fingerprint” was very similar to the samples from before. 

The evidence makes the case even stronger that the people of Dong Xa colored their teeth on purpose using a controlled and advanced method.

Records from history and culture say that the event went on for several weeks. They put iron-tannin mixes on their teeth over and over again. Then they used ash or coconut tar to polish them until they were shiny and looked like mirrors. If you take care of it, the black shine could last for a long time.

The current dataset consists of only three individuals from a single archaeological site. However, the analysis provides a diagnostic marker for identifying tooth-blackening traditions in alternative burials. 

Subsequent research may elucidate the dissemination of the practice across various regions and generations. The findings indicate that perceptions of beauty evolve. In addition, ancient cultures employed intricate, meticulously organized ceremonies to express their identity.