Bioarchaeology and biogeochemistry can elucidate aspects of individual life histories that are often lost in the archaeological record. Here, we use stable and radiogenic isotope analyses of enamel, bone and hair to reconstruct paleodiet and paleomobility in an adult male interred along a pre-Columbian route connecting the northern Chilean coast to the inland Loa River Valley. Although this well-preserved burial included mortuary goods typical of coastal cultures, it was discovered in a vast, uninhabited part of northern Chile's hyper-arid Atacama Desert. Variation in carbon and nitrogen isotopes reflects dietary differences, while strontium and oxygen isotopes vary geologically and geographically. We use these data to examine paleodiet and paleomobility and to assess whether this was a coastal traveller seeking provisions from the interior or vice versa. Enamel stable isotope analysis is consistent with the consumption of a mixture of terrestrial and marine resources during the first years of life. Bone stable isotope analyses indicate habitual consumption of marine foodstuffs over the last 10-30 years of this individual's life. Interestingly, stable isotope analysis of hair samples provides more finegrained information on this individual, suggesting movements between the coast and highlands in the months before his death. Radiogenic strontium isotope data are consistent with residence on the coast or in the Atacama Desert, but are lower than strontium isotope values from higher altitudes. These dietary and geological patterns are reconcilable with coastal residency; the isotopic data are consistent with foodstuffs and textiles found with the burial. Therefore, we argue that this individual was regularly moving from the coast to inland areas, crossing the hyper-arid Atacama Desert by following strategic interzonal routes that provided access to particular resources.
BárBara Cases* Charles rees** GoNzalo PimeNtel*** rafael laBarCa**** daNiela leiva***** Este trabajo presenta el estudio de caso de un contexto funerario situado en la pampa adyacente a la actual oficina salitrera de María Elena, norte de Chile. Variados análisis multidisciplinarios -que incluyen bioantropología, textiles, zooarqueología, prospección de las rutas cercanas y fechas AMS asociadas-nos permiten sugerir visiones alternativas y matizadas de supuestos previos en torno al tráfico regional.Palabras clave: norte de Chile, bioantropología, textiles, zooarqueología, eje vial, tráfico interzonal A case study is presented of a funerary context situated in the pampas near the current María Elena Nitrate Mine offices, in Northern Chile. A multidisciplinary analysis, which includes bioanthropological, textile and zooarchaeological research, and studies of nearby routes and their associated AMS dates, provides new interpretations and understandings of former assumptions regarding regional traffic.
ResumenEl presente artículo explora la interacción social en la región atacameña a partir del estudio de sus pinturas rupestres. Mediante el estudio cuantitativo y cualitativo de las distribuciones pictóricas, tanto por las estructuras compositivas como por los íconos claves que aparecen simultáneamente en dos o más localidades rupestres, se determinan flujos diferenciales de información visual. Esta circulación de conocimiento y personas habría operado como expresión de relaciones sociales preferenciales entre las distintas comunidades del desierto de Atacama.Palabras claves: interacción social -pinturas rupestresflujos de información visual.Abstract This article explores social interaction in the Atacama region through the local rock art paintings. Using a quantitative and qualitative study of pictorial distribution, including both compositional structures and key icons that appear simultaneously in two or more areas with rupestrian art sites, we can determine the presence of differential visual information flows. This flow of knowledge and people would have operated as an expression of preferential social relations between the different Atacama Desert communities.Key words: social interaction -rock art paintingsvisual information flows.Recibido: diciembre 2011. Aceptado: marzo 2012. Figura 1.Ubicación geográfica de las áreas incluidas en el estudio.
A lo largo de su prehistoria, el norte árido de Chile fue ocupado por una gran diversidad de culturas dispersas por todos los pisos ecológicos de la región. Sin embargo, desde el Arcaico Tardío se encuentran evidencias de intercambio de recursos y elementos culturales entre estas zonas, práctica que se intensificó durante los Periodos Medio e Intermedio Tardío. En este trabajo se evaluó la composición de la dieta de las poblaciones locales, por medio del análisis de isótopos estables de carbono y nitrógeno. Los resultados muestran gran consumo de proteínas marinas en las poblaciones costeras y de regiones cercanas, junto con un posible aumento en el consumo de maíz a lo largo del tiempo. También se demuestra una considerable variedad en la dieta de los individuos de cada grupo, apoyando la idea de un constante flujo de personas y alimentos entre la costa y el altiplano durante la prehistoria de la región. Palabras claves: desierto de Atacama, paleodieta, análisis de isótopos estables de carbono y nitrógeno. During its prehistory, Chile's desert north was occupied by numerous cultures scattered across the various ecological niches of the region. However, from the Late Archaic forward there is archaeological evidence for the sharing of resources and cultural elements across groups, a practice that intensified during the Middle and Late Intermediate Periods. We explored the dietary composition of local populations through stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses. Our results show a high consumption of marine protein along the coast and nearby regions as well as a possible increase in maize consumption over time. Interestingly, these results show that there was substantial dietary variety internal to these groups. This supports the idea of a regular flow of people and food between the coast and the highlands throughout the prehistoric period.
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