For years, archaeologists have puzzled over unusual flat patches found on the outer surfaces of ancient European teeth. Unlike typical dental wear caused by chewing, these smooth areas appeared on the sides of the teeth, facing the cheeks. Scientists had struggled to explain their origin, but a new theory proposed by John Charles Willman, a biological anthropologist at the University of Coimbra in Portugal, suggests that they may have resulted from the use of labrets—a type of facial piercing.
His research, published in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology, examines the dental remains of the Pavlovian people, a group that lived in Central Europe between 25,000 and 29,000 years ago. Willman believes that the continuous contact between labrets and teeth could have gradually worn down the enamel, creating the distinctive flat patches seen in archaeological remains. If his hypothesis is correct, it would reshape our understanding of early body modification practices and offer new insights into the cultural lives of ancient humans.
The Nature of Labrets and Their Historical Significance
Labrets are a form of facial piercing where an object is inserted into a hole near the mouth, often in the cheeks or lips. In modern times, they are commonly made from stainless steel, bone, or plastic, but in prehistoric periods, they were likely crafted from materials such as wood, leather, stone, or bone. These organic substances would have decayed over thousands of years, making direct evidence difficult to find in ancient burials.
While labrets are well-documented in various indigenous cultures across Africa, the Americas, and parts of Eurasia, their use in Paleolithic Europe has been largely unconfirmed. Willman’s research provides the first potential physical evidence that European hunter-gatherers may have engaged in this form of body modification.
The Strange Dental Wear Patterns of the Pavlovian People
Archaeologists first noticed flat wear patterns on the outer surfaces of teeth in ancient European remains many years ago. However, no clear explanation was ever reached. Traditional causes of dental wear, such as chewing tough foods, grinding teeth, or habitual pipe smoking, did not fully account for the unusual placement of these patches.
Willman focused his study on the teeth of the Pavlovian people, an Upper Paleolithic culture that lived in what is now Central Europe. Examining dozens of well-preserved skulls, he observed that many individuals had these distinctive flattened areas. Importantly, the patches appeared only on the buccal (cheek-facing) surfaces of the teeth, not on the chewing surfaces. This suggested that the wear resulted from prolonged, repetitive contact with an external object.
Why Other Explanations Don’t Fit
Various theories have been proposed over the years to explain these unusual wear patterns. Some researchers suggested that habitual teeth grinding or the use of tools held between the teeth could be responsible. However, these behaviors typically affect the occlusal (biting) surfaces of the teeth rather than the sides.
Another possibility was the habitual sucking or biting of an object, similar to how pipe stems leave wear marks on the teeth of habitual smokers. However, pipes did not exist in the Paleolithic era, making this explanation unlikely.
Since none of these previous theories adequately accounted for the buccal wear patterns, Willman began exploring other possibilities. He eventually concluded that the most plausible cause was labrets.
The Labret Hypothesis: A New Explanation
Willman’s theory suggests that these flat dental patches formed over time as labrets repeatedly rubbed against the teeth. The constant presence of a solid object resting between the inner cheek and teeth would gradually erode the enamel, producing the smooth, flattened areas observed in Pavlovian remains.
The consistency of these wear patterns across multiple individuals supports the idea that labrets were not just a rare personal choice but rather a widespread cultural practice. The fact that some children as young as ten years old exhibited these flat patches suggests that labrets may have been used as early as adolescence. This could indicate that they were part of a rite of passage, marking a young person’s transition into adulthood or their acceptance into a particular social group.
Further evidence comes from the observation that the size of the flat patches increased with age. This suggests that individuals continued to wear labrets throughout their lives, possibly as a way to signify status, rank, or group affiliation.
Labrets as a Cultural Marker in Paleolithic Societies
If Willman’s hypothesis is correct, it raises intriguing questions about the role of body modification in early European societies. Many anthropologists believe that ornamentation and body modification have long been used to convey identity, group belonging, and social hierarchy.
Labrets could have served as a marker of tribal affiliation, social status, or personal identity. In many indigenous cultures, piercings, tattoos, and scarification were used to denote rites of passage, achievements, or spiritual beliefs. The Pavlovian people may have had similar traditions, using labrets to distinguish different groups or signify stages of life.
Another possibility is that labrets were purely aesthetic, serving the same function as jewelry or other forms of adornment. Some modern cultures still use lip and cheek piercings for beauty purposes, and it is possible that Paleolithic Europeans did the same.
The Challenge of Finding Direct Evidence
One of the biggest hurdles in proving Willman’s theory is the lack of direct archaeological evidence of labrets in Paleolithic Europe. Since labrets were likely made from organic materials like wood or leather, they would not have survived over thousands of years. Unlike metal piercings, which can be preserved in burials, these early adornments would have decomposed, leaving behind little physical trace.
To support his theory, Willman suggests that archaeologists should look for small perforations in ancient skulls near the mouth, which could indicate the presence of facial piercings. Another approach would be to examine burial sites for ornamental objects that could have functioned as labrets, such as carved bones or stones with signs of wear from prolonged contact with soft tissue.
Further comparative studies could also help solidify the hypothesis. If similar dental wear patterns are found in other ancient populations known to have used labrets, it would strengthen the case that the Pavlovians engaged in this practice as well.
A New Perspective on Ancient European Culture
Willman’s findings offer an exciting glimpse into the personal and cultural lives of Paleolithic Europeans. While early humans are often studied for their survival strategies—such as hunting, tool-making, and migration patterns—this research highlights a more personal aspect of their existence. The possibility that Pavlovian people modified their bodies for social, aesthetic, or spiritual reasons adds a new layer to our understanding of their society.
If further evidence supports this theory, it could mean that facial piercings and body modifications have a much longer history in Europe than previously thought. This would align with discoveries in other parts of the world, where ancient cultures used piercings, tattoos, and body alterations to express identity and status.
Conclusion
The discovery of flat patches on the teeth of Paleolithic Europeans has long been a mystery, but John Charles Willman’s research presents a compelling new explanation. His hypothesis that these wear patterns were caused by the use of labrets challenges previous assumptions and opens new doors for understanding ancient European societies.
If labrets were indeed a common practice among the Pavlovian people, it suggests that personal adornment and cultural identity played a significant role in their lives. This research encourages archaeologists to look beyond traditional survival-based interpretations of the past and consider the rich, complex social and aesthetic worlds of our ancient ancestors.
More information: John Charles Willman, Probable Use of Labrets Among the Mid Upper Paleolithic Pavlovian Peoples of Central Europe, Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s41982-024-00204-z