All mandibular teeth with preserved enamel from Banyoles (Girona, Northeast of Spain, 45,000-100,000 BP) have been analysed with a scanning electron microscope and image analyser system. The high proportion of teeth showing dental wear can be correlated to manipulative activities and to mastication of a hard and abrasive diet. Comparisons of the buccal striation pattern observed from the teeth from Banyoles shares many similarities with modern hunter-gatherer groups whose diet is largely vegetarian (Bushmen, Australian Aborigines and Andaman Islanders). The distal root of a second, left molar from Banyoles shows an interproximal groove which has not been previously described. This groove is similar to those observed from other teeth of Pleistocene age and may be attributed to the repeated use of a toothpick.
