Tooth plaque may hold clues about ancient life – National Geographic

Image credit: Dr. Christina Warinner

A nuisance to dentists is now a boon for archaeologists. Researchers have successfully sequenced DNA from fossilized plaque on 700-year-old teeth.

Solidified plaque—called calculus, tartar, or that chalky stuff the dentist scrapes off—contains a whopping 25 times more DNA than ancient tooth or bone.

Read the full article in National Geographic.