The distinctive dental wear pattern that led the Sulawesi team to investigate the ancient teeth for arecoline had not been formally documented or recognized as a diagnostic marker.

Without knowing that this specific wear pattern indicates betel nut sucking, there was no reason to look for arecoline in other ancient specimens that might show it.

Third, good specimens are rare.

Human skeletal remains from the Pleistocene of Southeast Asia are uncommon.

The tropical climate, which accelerates organic decomposition, means that ancient bones and teeth are less well preserved in Southeast Asia than in more arid or cold environments.

The survival of Maros-LBB-1a’s jaw fragment and three molars from the Pleistocene deposits at Leang Bulu Bettue is itself unusual — the 2025 publication describing the specimen notes that it is the only human skeletal element ever found in the Pleistocene of Sulawesi.