Diet analysis reveals pre-historic meals among the Loma San Gabriel at La Cueva de Los Muertos Chiquitos, Rio Zape, Mexico (600–800 CE)

Abstract

Coprolites have been a source of study for archeologists due to several reasons: they not only provide information on the life and nutritional habits of ancient individuals but also on their health. In this paper, we processed 10 coprolites collected at La Cueva de Los Muertos Chiquitos (600-800 CE), Rio Zape, Mexico, with acetolysis solution for pollen analysis. The number of pollen grains/gram of each coprolite sample was quantified along with the macroscopic remains of these samples. The main food item ingested by the population was maize, followed by Agave. Squash blossoms were also part of their food source determined by the presence of pollen grains. In macro remains, we identified rodent bones, digitalcommons.unl.edu

Mycobiome-Host Coevolution? The Mycobiome of Ancestral Human Populations Seems to Be Different and Less Diverse Than Those of Extant Native and Urban-Industrialized Populations

“…One possible explanation is that the diet of the Huecoid and Saladoid cultures is more similar to that of ancient Mexican communities rather than extant native communities (Matses and Tunapuco) and urban-industrialized populations (United States). The Huecoid and Saladoid cultures were agriculturalists whose diet was mainly composed of root-crops and fruits [81,82], similar to the Mexican group included in the present study [29,83]. Regarding the extant populations, it has been shown that the gut bacterial microbiome β-diversity of urban populations are different from those of traditional communities [46,48].…”

Reconstruction of ancient microbial genomes from the human gut

“…1c, the analyses for Zape1, Zape2 and Zape3 were part of a large review of samples from this site. Ten other samples were presented independently 105 . An additional 50 samples were reviewed 106 .…”

Coprolite research: archaeological and paleoenvironmental potentials

“…It is clear that a much larger sample is needed to achieve redundancy, but there are so few coprolite studies from Pleistocene occupations in North America that this information is still insightful. The ten samples in Pucu et al (2020) not only support the importance of agricultural foods, but also additionally highlight dietary diversity not replicated in more than one sample. The results of this small number of samples are strengthened by comparing with a previous study of 43 coprolites at the same site that demonstrate dietary redundancy.…”

“…In South America, Pucu et al (2020) and Velázquez et al (2020) present research from Mexico and Argentina, respectively. Pucu and colleagues studied coprolites from 1200-1400-year-old contexts at La Cueva de Los Muertos Chiquitos Cave, Mexico, integrating macroscopic and microscopic plant and animal analyses.…”