Patterns of dietary diversity in Holocene north-west South America: new insights from Bayesian stable isotope mixing models

Abstract

Abstract

Diet During the Late Initial Period (1100–800 BC) in the Chavín Heartland: New Data from Canchas Uckro (North-Central Peru)

“…Raw δ 13 C and δ 15 N data were further analyzed using dietary mixing models (Supplementary Data: Statistical Data Analysis of Dietary Resources; Supplemental Table S6; Supplemental Figures S7 and S8), which were applied to estimate the contributions of different foods in the diets of individuals from Canchas Uckro (Delgado 2021; Kennett et al 2020; Washburn et al 2020). Our mixing models suggest that all individuals found at Canchas Uckro had diets consisting of either the direct or indirect consumption of predominately C 3 plants and terrestrial grazers with a mostly C 3 plant diet.…”

Stable isotopes and paleodiet of the ancient inhabitants of Nueva Esperanza: A late Holocene site from Sabana de Bogotá (Colombia)

“…Overall, NE inhabitants presented mixed C 3 /C 4 diets with a strong dependence on maize, supplemented by deer and C 3 plants. In terms of trophic position, the isotopic composition of bone and dentine collagen in humans (Figure 3) reflects the consumption of proteins derived mainly from deer and small herbivores (e.g., guinea pigs), although the contribution of C 3 plants, given its wide availability, was also important (Delgado, 2021). It is worth noting that the collagen isotopic values reflect the protein portion of the diets and not the total dietary intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins), and therefore, diets based on C 4 carbohydrates (i.e., maize) and C 3 -feeding animals (in this case deer and guinea pig) will lower the consumer's (human) δ 13 C values (Jim et al, 2006).…”

“…In terms of temporal variation, the EM and LM periods show little differences that are explained by a progressive economic specializa- (Cárdenas, 1993(Cárdenas, , 1996(Cárdenas, , 2002Delgado, 2021;Delgado et al, 2014), where people consumed a substantial proportion of maize during the late Holocene. The regional intensification in maize consumption coincides with an increase in economic specializations, gender-based social differentiation, and political complexity, revealing a likely link between subsistence economy and demographic and political centralization (Boada, 2018;Delgado, 2021;Langebaek, 2019).…”

“…Maize was cultivated during the complete sequence at NE, and its consumption remained stable throughout time, which highlights the importance of maize for local populations even since the HR period. This coincides with the isotopic evidence from several Muisca settlements, such as Candelaria La Nueva (979–499 cal BP δ 13 C col mean −11.4‰); Las Delicias (1180–739 cal BP δ 13 C col mean −11.8‰); Tibanica (921–567 cal BP) ( δ 13 C col mean −11.8‰) and Portalegre (977–500 cal BP δ 13 C col mean −12.8‰) (Cárdenas, 1993, 1996, 2002; Delgado, 2021; Delgado et al, 2014), where people consumed a substantial proportion of maize during the late Holocene. The regional intensification in maize consumption coincides with an increase in economic specializations, gender‐based social differentiation, and political complexity, revealing a likely link between subsistence economy and demographic and political centralization (Boada, 2018; Delgado, 2021; Langebaek, 2019).…”

“…Early isotopic studies of skeletal remains from the Muisca period indicated a strong emphasis on maize (Cárdenas, 1993, 1996), whereas recent research on human and archaeofaunal assemblages indicate a mixed diet that included plants (mainly C 4 plants such as maize and to a lesser extent C 3 plants) and different animal species, including C 3 ‐feeding herbivores such as deer, guinea pig, freshwater resources, carnivores, omnivores, such as dog and margay, among others (Delgado, 2018, 2021). From a temporal perspective, the isotopic evidence suggests higher consumption of C 3 resources during the EM period and higher intake of C 4 plants and animal protein during the LM period (Cárdenas, 2002; Delgado, 2018, 2021; Delgado et al, 2014; Miller et al, 2018). These results support interpretations based on the archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological record (Cárdenas, 2002; Enciso, 1996; Langebaek et al, 2021; Morcote, 1996; Parra, 2001).…”