Prehistoric Macaw Breeding in the North American Southwest

Abstract

The scarlet macaw (Ara macao) was an important prehistoric trade item in northern Mexico and southwestern United States. Paquimé (or Casas Grandes) in northwestern Chihuahua has been assumed to have dominated or even monopolized the macaw trade. This conclusion is a result of the fact that Paquimé is the only site with evidence of substantial macaw-breeding facilities. Two recent archaeological projects in Chihuahua indicate that macaw production was not limited to Casas Grandes. Furthermore, the political relations of production for these ritually and economically important birds differed depending on whether or not the producers were part of the complex polity centered at Casas Grandes.

Isotopic investigation of pre-Hispanic macaw breeding in Northwest Mexico

“…However, it is important to note that other northern Chihuahua sites contained evidence of limited macaw keeping and possible breeding. Minnis et al (1993) report finding macaw cage-entrance stones at multiple sites in Chihuahua; most were found within a 30 km radius of Paquimé, but several were found in west-central Chihuahua as well. It has been suggested that Paquimé, as the primate center of the regional system, produced the macaws and distributed the feathers and birds to followers in the surrounding environs (Whalen and Minnis, 2001, p. 339).…”

“…Although pre-Hispanic macaw specimens have been found at many sites in the American Southwest, including Pueblo Bonito, Wupatki, Point of Pines, and Galaz (Creel and McKusick, 1994;Di Peso et al, 1974, Hargrave, 1970McKusik, 1974;Minnis et al, 1993), Paquimé is the only site in the region to contain such extensive evidence of macaws (Di Peso et al, 1974, vol. 2, pp.…”

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).…”

“…This principle provides a framework of meaning for several previously inexplicable items found at Paquimé. availability has led researchers to exclude the military macaw in discussions of the uses of macaws as prestige items at Paquimé (Minnis et al 1993).…”

“…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.…”