Polydactyly suggesting local husbandry of Pre-Columbian camelids: A case from Castillo de Huarmey archaeological site, northern coast of Peru

Tomczyk, Weronika; Giersz, Miłosz

doi:10.1016/j.ijpp.2016.11.003

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Polydactyly is also found in Mochica funerary contexts (Goepfert 2011), but in lower proportions. Polydactyly is interpreted by Kent, Vásquez Sánchez, and Rosales Tham (2001) and Tomczyk and Giersz (2017) as an indicator of intensification of herding and local husbandry. It has been hypothesised by Goepfert (2011) that the officiants had selected some animals with polydactyly for funerary deposits because supernumerary digits had a special symbolic meaning.…”

Section: Camelids In Funerary Contexts In Northern Perumentioning

confidence: 99%

New Bioarchaeological Evidence and Radiocarbon Dates from the Lambayeque/Sicán Culture Camelids from the El Brujo Complex (Northern Coast of Peru): Implications for Funerary and Herd Management Practices

Santana‐Sagredo

Dufour

Goepfert

et al. 2018

Environmental Archaeology

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Pastoralism and camelid management have been essential to all aspects of pre-Hispanic Andean societies. Here, we present zooarchaeological and isotopic data on domestic camelid remains from Huaca Cao Viejo (El Brujo archaeological complex) on the northern coast of Peru, and dated to the Lambayeque/Sicán period-to characterise their biological age, diet, life history, possible geographic origin and ritual use. Domestic camelids, representing a wide range of biological ages and a high rate of polydactyly, were found as burial offerings in direct association with human funerary bundles (fardos). Direct AMS dates indicated that camelids were buried over a short period of time (AD 1022-1176) confirming the Lambayeque presence in the Chicama Valley during the first half of the Late Intermediate Period. Stable isotopic analyses were carried out on both bone collagen and hair keratin, including incremental analysis. A considerable variability in δ 13 C values at both the intraindividual and the intra-group level and a large contribution of C 4 resources to diet are shown. This clearly supports local management and camelids originating from various herds. Zooarchaeological and isotopic evidences suggest diversity in herding practices and suggest the importance of the herds in fulfilling the transportation demands for trade in goods.

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Section: Camelids In Funerary Contexts In Northern Perumentioning

confidence: 99%