Fifty mandibles belonging to the Byzantium period were studied in order to determine to racial differences about of the localization of the mental foramen according to the mandibular teeth. Mandibles of adult males without missing teeth, proximal decay and proximal attrition were used. On the right side, the most common position of the mental foramen was between the first and second lower teeth (50%), whereas on the left side, the most common position was in line with the longitudinal axis of the lower second premolar tooth (46%). Because of materials including mostly Alpine's and a few of Mediterranean subraces, two different positions of the mental foramen were determined in high similar ratios. © 1997 International Institute for the Study of Man.