Height of dental crown used to determine the age of Eneolithic large deer game

Abrasion of dental crown and the shape of denture occlusal surface are significant indicators in age determination of domestic mammals. The factors that significantly influence age determination of Eneolithic deer game in conditions of an open wildlife habitat are climatic changes that influenced their survival, as well as specific features of teeth morphological structure. In this paper the age of Eneolithic red deer is determined on the basis of dental crown abrasion of the third and fourth permanent premolars, and the first and third permanent molars. The obtained values for dental crown height of Eneolithic deer were compared with the values for dental crown height of the same tooth material of recent red deer whose age was clearly determined (5-7 years). Dental crown abrasion of Eneolithic deer (“Vučedol deer”) is greater than the dental crown abrasion of European deer (Cervus elaphus L.), that is to say, the age of “Vučedol deer” is within a range of 7-10 years.