RESUMO
Objective:To observe the position of the third molar in the neolithic adults about 6 000 years ago.Methods:On the basis of the maxillary and mandibular specimens preserved in Banpo museum,200 maxillary and mandibular specimens with 383 third molars,187 maxillary and 196 mandibular,were observed for the eruption of the third molar.The teeth in the non-eruption group were further divided into impact group and congenital absent group according to the third molar germ presence testified by X ray.Results:The congenital absent rates of maxillary and mandibular third molar were 26.74% and 17.35%,while the impact rates of maxillary and mandibular third molar were(2.67%) and 14.79% respectively.Conclusion:Both the congenital absent rate and the impact rate of the third molar in neolithic era adults are lower than those in modern,the impact and congenital absence of the third molar are part of degradation of masticatory organ with whole humanity progressing.