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Previous studies of the skeletal remains from Herculaneum include those related to understanding the ancient diet and disease load. According to an early study by anthropologist Sarah Bisel, overall excellent teeth suggest a diet low in cavity-causing foods, which could be the result of natural fluoride in the water owing to the volcano. Nearly half of the people examined had some amount of osteoarthritis, however, and many others appear to have suffered from childhood diseases or famines. Another study by anthropologist Luigi Capasso notes evidence of respiratory infections, potentially caused by indoor cooking. While many people at Herculaneum were eating seafood, their diet was mostly based on terrestrial meats and carbohydrates.
Comment: While this would have given humans an advantage over neanderthals it does not provide a full and satisfactory explanation as to why neanderthals died out completely.
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