Archaeologists have identified what may be the earliest known example of a dental bridge in Scotland, discovered in the jaw of a medieval man buried in Aberdeen. The device, a 20-carat gold alloy ligature, was likely used to stabilize or replace a missing tooth and appears to have been worn for a significant period before death. The findings, published in the British Dental Journal, add rare physical evidence to the history of early restorative dentistry in Europe.
- Oldest known Scottish dental bridge identified in Aberdeen
- Gold wire ligature dated to between 1460 and 1670 CE
- Made from 20-carat gold alloy, suggesting skilled craftsmanship and wealth
For most of human history, losing teeth was not just common—it was expected. But one medieval man in Scotland appears to have resisted that fate, leaving behind a surprising clue about early dental restoration that researchers did not anticipate finding.
In skeletal remains recovered from a major church site in Aberdeen, archaeologists discovered a jaw fitted with a carefully tied gold wire spanning missing teeth. It wasn’t decoration. It was a functional attempt to hold the mouth together.
Dentistry Before Dentistry Existed
Dentistry as a formal profession did not emerge until the 19th century, but evidence of dental intervention stretches back thousands of years. Archaeological research has documented early modifications to teeth dating as far back as 14,000 years ago, with possible attempts to treat cavities.
Other discoveries reinforce the idea that ancient people experimented with oral treatment long before modern clinics existed. In Slovenia, researchers previously found beeswax placed inside a dental cavity in remains dated to around 6,500 years ago, suggesting an early attempt to reduce pain or protect damaged teeth.
Even more striking examples come from ancient Egypt, where silver or gold wire dental ligatures have been identified as early as 2,500 BCE. However, archaeologists have noted that some Egyptian ligatures may have been placed after death, potentially to ensure the body was considered “complete” before burial.
By the Middle Ages, written medical and surgical texts in Europe began referencing oral remedies more frequently. But treatment was often not handled by trained physicians.
The study authors explain that medieval medical texts typically offered limited guidance on dental care, partly because teeth were often considered outside the responsibilities of physicians and surgeons. Instead, dental work was commonly performed by barbers or specialized tooth workers known as dentatores.
A Rare Discovery in Medieval Scotland
The newly identified dental bridge emerged from a much larger archaeological excavation carried out in 2006 at the East Kirk of St. Nicholas Kirk in Aberdeen. The site yielded skeletal remains from around 900 individuals, along with 3.5 metric tons of disarticulated skeletal material.
St. Nicholas Kirk was a major religious site that underwent rebuilding and expansion during the 14th to 16th centuries. At the time, it was recognized as one of the largest churches in Scotland.
Years later, during a research project focused on tracking health trends across Scotland, scientists reassessed skeletal remains recovered from the kirk. That reassessment revealed something exceptional: a mandible containing a gold wire ligature connecting teeth, with one missing from the center.
The arrangement strongly suggested a bridging function. Researchers concluded the wire likely helped hold a prosthetic tooth in place or stabilized a loose tooth. Out of a sample of 100 individuals, only one displayed such a dental ligature, highlighting just how uncommon the practice may have been in the region.
Scientific Testing Confirms Its Age and Composition
To understand what they were looking at, the research team conducted several scientific analyses. Radiocarbon dating was performed on the mandible to determine its age. The wire itself was studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy, allowing researchers to identify its material composition.
They also estimated the individual’s age and sex based on skeletal characteristics and dental wear. The evidence pointed to a middle-aged man, buried in Aberdeen sometime between 1460 and 1670 CE.
Importantly, the teeth showed marks indicating the ligature had been worn for a substantial period before death. This suggests it was not a ceremonial addition placed after burial, but something used in life.
The analysis revealed the wire was made from 20-carat gold alloy, a material that would have been expensive and difficult to access for most people living at the time.
Who Could Have Made a Gold Dental Bridge?
The craftsmanship behind the ligature raised another key question: where did it come from?
The study notes that during the same time period, at least 22 goldsmiths were operating in Aberdeen. The authors suggest these craftsmen would likely have been capable of producing a simple gold wire and tying the knot required to secure it around the teeth.
Whether the work was done locally in Aberdeen or elsewhere cannot be confirmed from the evidence alone. Still, the presence of gold dental restoration in a burial from this era indicates that some individuals had access to both specialized skills and valuable materials.
That access almost certainly reflects wealth. Gold was not a casual choice, and a procedure requiring custom metalwork would have been out of reach for most of the population.
More Than Function: Appearance and Social Pressure
The dental bridge likely had practical value. If it helped stabilize teeth or hold a replacement in place, it could have improved chewing ability and overall oral function. But the researchers suggest function may not have been the only motivation.
According to the authors, social factors during the Late Medieval and Early Modern periods may have influenced decisions about appearance. They explain that physical appearance was often interpreted as evidence of personal character and even moral standing.
Health and appearance were sometimes linked to religious ideas about sin, and a person’s outward condition could shape how they were perceived by others. In that context, maintaining an intact smile could have carried real social importance.
The authors write that the man’s decision to undergo the procedure may have reflected multiple motivations, including the desire to preserve both oral function and personal appearance.
A New Piece of Evidence in Restorative Dentistry’s Long History
The researchers emphasize that dental ligatures are rarely found in European archaeological sites dating earlier than the 17th century. Even among the limited examples that do exist, none had previously been documented in Scotland.
That makes this Aberdeen discovery particularly significant. It represents not only a rare survival of delicate dental work, but also a strong indication that restorative dental practices existed in Scotland earlier than previously confirmed through physical remains.
While the researchers cannot definitively determine whether the bridge was created in Aberdeen or brought from elsewhere, they argue that the case adds to a growing body of evidence that premodern societies experimented with complex dental restoration long before dentistry became a regulated profession.
Why This Matters
This discovery provides rare, direct proof that advanced dental restoration was being attempted in Scotland centuries earlier than previously documented. The presence of a 20-carat gold alloy ligature, worn long enough to leave marks on teeth, shows that medieval individuals sometimes sought long-term solutions to tooth loss—not just extraction or pain relief.
Just as importantly, it reveals how closely health, wealth, and social identity could intersect. In this case, a single jawbone suggests that medieval dental care was not only possible, but meaningful enough for someone to invest in skilled craftsmanship to preserve their smile.
