Isotopic investigation of pre-Hispanic macaw breeding in Northwest Mexico

Early procurement of scarlet macaws and the emergence of social complexity in Chaco Canyon, NM

“…Moreover, no evidence of breeding pens or macaw eggshells has been reported from Bonito. In contrast, at Paquimé in northern Mexico, 630 km south of Chaco, 322 scarlet macaws were recovered, along with pens and eggshells that demonstrate a breeding program (15), a conclusion supported by isotopic analysis (51). In addition, scarlet macaws classified as nestlings, juveniles, of breeding age, or aged constitute 14.0% of the Paquimé population (29), a markedly and significantly (z = 1.82; P < 0.05, one-tailed test) higher proportion than the 2.9% in Chaco.…”

Reconstructing ancient Maya animal trade through strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) analysis

“…Within Mesoamerica, this technique has primarily been used to identify transport of species such as quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno), macaws (Ara macao), jaguars (Panthera onca) and crocodiles (Crocodylus sp.) between the highlands and lowlands (Emery, 2002;Moholy-Nagy, 2004;Somerville et al, 2010), and trade in marine and terrestrial species between the coast and the interior (e.g., Andrews, 1969;Götz, 2008;Hamblin, 1984: 97e141;Masson and Peraza Lope, 2008). However, such methods are inadequate for identifying trade in species with large geographic distributions or broad habitat requirements, such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and collared peccary (Pecari tajacu).…”

Exploring Social Organization Through the Built Environment: Cosmological Foundations for Power at Paquimé, Chihuahua, Mexico

“…Plaza 3-12 was clearly a locus of scarlet macaw breeding, given the remains of macaws in all stages of development from eggshells to nestlings to mature birds found in the cages and under the plaza floor (Di Peso et al 1974:vol. 8;Minnis 1988;Minnis et al 1993;Somerville et al 2010). One bird burial (BB/8) in Plaza 3-12 was found with Although the overwhelming majority of macaw remains were found in Plaza 3-12 (67% of macaws in prepared burials), macaw burials were also found in a few other locations around the site (Figures 5.2 and 5.3).…”

“…Southwest/Mexican Northwest (Benson 1997;Creel and McKusick 1994;Cushing 1979;Minnis et al 1993;Parsons 1939;Somerville et al 2010). Scarlet macaws are native to the more tropical environments of southern Mexico and beyond.…”

“…These were likely the same routes that moved scarlet macaws, cacao, and other goods north from the southern Mesoamerican and western Mexico regions to the U.S. Southwest (Somerville et al 2010;Crown and Hurst 2009;Mills and Ferguson 2008). Much of the shell at Paquimé came from the western coast of Mexico (Bradley 1993(Bradley , 1996.…”