Hunting, Gathering, and Fishing on the Coast of the Atacama Desert: Chinchorro Population Mobility Patterns Inferred from Strontium Isotopes

Abstract

We discuss how the Chinchorro population of hunter‐gatherers and fishermen organized their mobility patterns between the rich marine ecosystems of the Pacific coast and the extreme hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert through the application of strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr). We analyzed tooth enamel samples of 35 individuals from the coast (n = 28), inland oasis (n = 6), and the Andean highlands (n = 1). The Sr isotopic composition of modern and archaeological bone samples from sea mammals and land herbivores were obtained from 10 localities. Coastal human individuals show a similar Sr signal to sea mammals, confirming that the former were born and raised in the littoral zone. These results along with archaeological data suggest that the Chinchorro maintained logistic mobility along the coast. Similarly, a woman buried in the highlands (Patapatane) has a Sr signal closer to marine values, suggesting that some Chinchorro also maintained a logistic mobility linked to the Andean interior. In contrast, the Sr ratios of individuals from the inland oasis (Tiliviche) are intermediate between marine Sr values and those of local fauna. This seems to indicate that, although these Chinchorro individuals were raised in this oasis, they were part of a broad logistic mobility pattern connected with the coast.

Loco or no Loco? Holocene Climatic Fluctuations, Human Demography, and Community Based Management of Coastal Resources in Northern Chile

“…This would explain the prominent decrease seen in the diversity indices (Table 4) at trench CV7 (5,040-4,150 cal yr BP, Table 2), which is coeval with the irruption of stronger La Niña-like conditions during the late Archaic (Rein et al, 2005). Regionally, major socio-cultural innovative reorganizations and transformations occurred during the Middle-Late Archaic, including the diversification of artificial mummification practices, and the appearance of specialized technology for exploiting offshore and intertidal resources along the arheic coast (Marquet et al, 2012;Olguín et al, 2014;Castro et al, 2016;Standen et al, 2017). Coincidently, after c. 4,000 to 3,000 cal yr BP, the fishing, hunting gathering societies abandoned the long term traditional ritual mortuary system of artificial mummification and new ideologically base funerary patterns were introduced along the coast of northernmost Chile (Marquet et al, 2012).…”

“…Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of human bones as well as other remains excavated at the Caleta Vitor archeological site show, as elsewhere along the Pacific coast of the Atacama Desert, that people maintained a marine diet that included shellfish, fish, sea birds, sea mammals, and seaweed since their arrival to the region (Petruzzelli et al, 2012;Poulson et al, 2013;Roberts et al, 2013;Pestle et al, 2015;Salazar et al, 2015;Bland et al, 2016;Standen et al, 2017). Ecofacts (or biofacts) found both in domestic and funerary contexts further support this assertion (Valenzuela et al, 2014).…”

A multianalytical approach for identifying a manganese source for the black pigment of the Chinchorro mortuary palette

“…One possibility involves hunter‐and‐gatherers in the highlands procuring and trading with the Chinchorro and a second where both groups were independently making use of the manganese material. Standen et al () support the traditional view that “most Chinchorro people were born, lived, died, and were buried at the coast.” However, they also propose greater interior mobility based on strontium isotopic analysis. This includes six individuals that occupied a camp 40 km from the coast and a single adult female buried in Patapatane Cave, located approximately 80 km from the coast.…”

“…However, new data are showing a wide spectrum of resource use, procurement, and mobility, including minerals to ornament their mummies (Sepúlveda, Valenzuela, Cornejo, Lienqueo, & Rousselière, ; Sepúlveda et al, ). One individual was even found buried 80 km from the coast at 3,750 masl with a strong maritime strontium signal (Standen, Santoro, Arriaza, & Coleman, ). This multidimensional use of resources opens the debate to the extent of exploration, long distance mobility to inland territories and the types of resources collected during the Archaic period.…”

A Worldwide Network for Comparative Studies on Caravans: Past, Present and Future

“…Estas transacciones económicas se remontan a por lo menos 4500 años a.p. y aún antes (Frachetti et al 2017) (Cases et al 2008;Cortegoso et al 2016;Méndez et al 2012;Núñez et al 2017;Pimentel et al 2011;Standen et al 2017;Tripcevich 2010 (Förster 2015).…”