As TRUbians I’m assuming you’re all aware and comprehend the concept of “the grill” as far as it goes concerning rappers and their teeth, but DID you know how far back these blinding displays of excessive wealth go?

(Relatively) advanced dentistry allowed Native Americans to add bling to their teeth as far back as 2,500 years ago – way before Flav, Rick The Ruler, Paul Wall and the sorts got around to doing it. Ancient peoples of southern North America went to “dentists” to beautify their teeth with semiprecious gems, according to a recent analysis of thousands of teeth examined from collections in Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (such as the skull above, found in Chiapas, Mexico).

It’s always good to find a common link between the people that came before us and ourselves if for no other reason to humanize our ancestors and relate to them better. I wonder if grill-related dental issues kept people out of court appearances back then, too.

Bet you didn’t know.