Teeth track gender bias back over 1,000 years

Researchers used dental records of more than 10,000 people from 139 archaeological sites throughout Europe.

Dental records show pro-male bias in areas where gender relations were more egalitarian centuries ago.

Bias outlasted monumental socioeconomic and political changes such as industrialization and world wars.

Researchers found one exception to the rule: In regions that experienced abrupt, large-scale population replacement, such as a pandemic or natural disaster.

The status of men and women in society today has remained relatively unequal in Romania.

Only 52.5% of women participate in the labor market compared with 78% of men.

A rural community in modern-day Lithuania favored women’s health.

In the modern era, this location, now called Kdainiai, remains relatively gender equal.