Pastoralism in Northern Peru during Pre-Hispanic Times: Insights from the Mochica Period (100–800 AD) Based on Stable Isotopic Analysis of Domestic Camelids

Abstract

Llama (Lama glama) and alpaca (Vicugna pacos) are the only large domesticated animals indigenous to the Americas. Pastoralism occupies a fundamental economic, social and religious role in Andean life. Today, camelid livestock are confined to the ecozone of the puna (above 3,500 masl), while their presence on the Pacific coast during pre-Hispanic times is attested by archaeological skeletal remains. This study aims to document herding practices on the northern Peruvian coast during the Early Intermediate Period (200 BC-600 AD) by gaining insights into diet, location of breeding and mobility of archaeological camelids from the funerary and ritual contexts of two Mochica sites, Uhle Platform in Huacas de Moche and El Brujo. The three first early years and the long-term life histories of the animals were documented by the combined bulk analysis of bone collagen (δ13Ccol and δ15Ncol) and bone structural carbonate (δ13Cbone and δ18Obone) and the serial analysis of structural carbonate of molar tooth enamel (δ13Cenamel and δ18Oenamel). Mochica camelids were bred in the low and/or middle valleys, unlike their modern counterparts, who are restricted to highland puna C3 pastures. Archaeological camelids had diverse and complex life histories, usually with substantial maize foddering. An ontogenetic switch in diet and possible residential mobility during the course of life were identified for some specimens. Although the inference of geographic origin from δ18Obone and δ18Oenamel values was limited because of the lack of understanding of the influence of environmental and biological factors, tooth enamel analysis has great potential for exploring camelid herding practices and Andean pastoralism. Our study suggested that Mochica herders adapted their practices to the difficult lowland environment and that herding practices were varied and not restricted to breeding at higher altitudes. The role of maize in different aspects of the economic life of the Mochicas is also underlined.

Patterns of camelid management in Wari Empire reconstructed using multiple stable isotope analysis: evidence from Castillo de Huarmey, northern coast of Peru

“…Potentially, however, this can be interpreted as another indicator for human management, for example, if the animals were drinking water from maintained wells or reservoirs in or near the Castillo de Huarmey. Additionally, all values of δ 18 O dw , except the two lowest CdH-3420 δ 18 O dw = − 8.07‰ and CdH-3436 δ 18 O dw = − 8.02‰, are similar to values of camelid enamel samples from other coastal sites (Goepfert et al 2013;Dufour et al 2014). The two lowest δ 18 O dw individuals likely had distinct source of water, indicating that they were possibly raised outside the coastal region.…”

“…N values of the Castillo de Huarmey camelids are slightly higher than those obtained from modern highland camelids (Thornton et al 2011;Dufour et al 2014 (Fig. 9) are lower than the average value (δ 15 N = 12.33‰) of three Cerro Baul camelids interpreted as foddering on lomas (Thornton et al 2011).…”

“…It has been assumed that significant δ 13 C deviation toward C 4 plant range is a sign of intentional maize feeding of camelids, as a part of organized herding (Finucane et al 2006;Thornton et al 2011;Dufour et al 2014). Although wild highland C 4 grasses (e.g., Muhlenbergia sp.)…”

“…C values for consumer's bone apatite and bone collagen are different, as those components are differentially affected by fractionation and derived from different macronutrient sources: the δ 13 C values are offset by~5‰ for bone collagen and by~12-14‰ for bone and tooth enamel apatite (Cerling and Harris 1999;Dufour et al 2014;Passey et al 2005). Therefore, bone/tooth enamel apatite is enriched in 13 C relative to bone collagen by an average of + 7.6 ± 0.5‰ for herbivores (Clementz et al 2009 (Handley et al 1999).…”

De fronteras y enclaves: la presencia Nasca en la sierra de Ica (260 a.C. – 640 d.C.)

“…Entre los meses de agosto y diciembre, los rebaños se habrían movido a través de estos corredores conectando las yungas de la tierra alta, antes de bajar a las lomas para el período comprendido entre diciembre y abril. Este patrón de trashumancia yunga-lomas-fondo de valle-litoral costero es una reminiscencia de la sugerida para los Moche (Dufour et al 2014). Hasta hace poco, dicha trashumancia fue realizada por los pastores de cabras y ovejas en el valle de Ica (Whaley et al 2010: 619-620), y sectores más al norte, como Piura (Perevolotsky 1985).…”