Fisherfolk and farmers: Carbon and nitrogen isotope evidence from Middle Horizon Ancón, Peru

Abstract

This study investigates human dietary patterns and economic trends at the coastal site of Ancó n, Peru during the Andean Middle Horizon (550AD-1000AD) using stable isotopic data from 32 individuals buried at the site. d 13C and d 15 N results from human bone collagen and d 13 C from human tooth enamel and bone carbonate indicate that inhabitants consumed a mixed diet composed primarily of marine protein and C 4 resources, with only marginal reliance on C 3 foods. Over time, Ancó neros appear to have relied more heavily on C 4 resources, particularly maize, despite the fact that the crop could not have been grown locally. These results are notable given that C 3 rather than C 4 or marine foods dominate the site's archaeological record. These data suggest that Ancó n's inhabitants either had access to more fertile land up-valley where maize could be cultivated successfully or that they engaged in trade relationships with their valley neighbours. A third possibility is that increased maize consumption at Ancó n during the Middle Horizon resulted from Wari imperial influence and interregional exchange. Comparisons of d13 C values in enamel and bone carbonate from Ancó n individuals indicate that d 13C carb_enamel values are significantly more positive than d 13 C carb_bone values. This suggests that the diets of young children were systematically enriched in 13 C compared to that of adults, perhaps as a result of nursing activity and/or differential dietary practices among various age groups at the site.

Diet and Mobility in the Corded Ware of Central Europe

“…The application of isotopic proveniencing to ancient human teeth has become standard practice in archaeology. There are several published summaries of the method [ 66 , 64 , 67 ]. Analytical methods are described in detail in a number of publications [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 67 ], see also S1 File .…”

“…There are several published summaries of the method [ 66 , 64 , 67 ]. Analytical methods are described in detail in a number of publications [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 67 ], see also S1 File . Numerous examples of the application of strontium isotope ratios to a variety of archaeological questions have been published [ 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 ].…”

Investigating economic specialization on the central Peruvian coast: A reconstruction of Late Intermediate Period Ychsma diet using stable isotopes

“…Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in bone collagen are widely used to reconstruct dietary protein sources (e.g., Bocherens, ; Chisholm et al, ; Keegan & DeNiro, ; Richards & Hedges, ; Scherer, Wright, & Yoder, ; van der Merwe & Vogel, ; Vogel & van der Merwe, ). Combining stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in bone collagen with stable carbon isotope ratios in hydroxyapatite carbonates of bone, which represent the whole diet, allows for the reconstruction of relative differences in dietary energy (carbohydrates and fats) and dietary protein sources (e.g., Ambrose, ; Ambrose & Norr, ; Froehle, Kellner, & Schoeninger, ; Hu, Ambrose, & Wang, ; Kellner & Schoeninger, ; Krueger & Sullivan, ; Lee‐Thorp, Sealy, & van der Merwe, ; Slovak & Paytan, ; Tomczak, ).…”

Exploring imperial expansion using an isotopic analysis of paleodietary and paleomobility indicators in Chachapoyas, Peru

“…The power and utility of these isotopic methods in Peru has been demonstrated for both dietary determination (Lambert et al, 2012;Tieszen & Chapman, 1992;Tomczak, 2003;Tykot, Burger, & Van Der Merwe, 2006) and mobility studies (Knudson & Buikstra, 2007;Knudson, Price, Buikstra, & Blom, 2004;Knudson & Tung, 2007;White, Nelson, Longstaffe, Grupe, & Jung, 2009). There has been a specific focus on examining major changes related to the impact of imperialism (Kellner & Schoeninger, 2008;Williams & Katzenberg, 2012;Williams & Murphy, 2013), the practice of human sacrifice and ritualized violence (Tung & Knudson, 2009;Turner et al, 2013;Verano & DeNiro, 1993), social complexity (Knudson & Blom, 2009;Slovak & Paytan, 2011;Turner et al, 2009), and individual and group mobility (Andrushko, Buzon, Simonetti, & Creaser, 2009;Knudson & Price, 2007;White et al, 2009). While these studies advance knowledge of cultural developments in various environments on the coast and in the highlands of Peru, the northeastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental have been not yet been tested.…”