Examining Chronological Trends in Ancient Maya Diet at Minanha, Belize, Using the Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen

Abstract

We present the results of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of bone collagen and bone bioapatite from the ancient Maya center of Minanha, Belize (ca. 100 B.C. to A.D. 1260). The purpose of this research was to reconstruct diet and investigate the influence of sociopolitical and environmental factors. Overall, diet was relatively stable over time, with maize being a staple in all periods. Maize consumption reached its peak in the transitional Early to Middle Classic periods and decreased over time. When isotope data from dry periods were compared to normal periods, there were no significant differences, although comparisons of isotope data by burial location and type suggest that the apical or ruling elite consumed a more diverse diet, with more animal protein, relative to the lesser elites. The temporal variability in maize consumption seems best explained by sociopolitical factors documented at Minanha and within the Vaca Plateau. This study demonstrates the resilience of ancient subsistence practices in the face of climatic instability and highlights the impact that social and political factors can have on diet and subsistence economy.

Early Colonial Diet in El Japón, Xochimilco, Mexico: Examining dietary continuity through stable isotope analysis of bone collagen and bioapatite

“…Isotopic studies are well developed in the Mayan cultural region and serve as an important point of comparison for discussion of regional and intrapopulation dietary variation. Altun Ha (White et al, 2001), Calakmul (Price et al, 2018), Chinikiha (Negrete et al, 2020), Ka'kabish (Smith, 2020), Minanha (Williams et al, 2017), Nakum (Rand et al, 2020), Xcambo (Sierra Sosa et al, 2014) are employed as Mayan Comparative Set 1 .…”

“…Mayan Comparative Set 2 is more comprehensive and differs from the first set in that interpretation of individuals' social status is offered by the respective authors based on burial locations, household contents, and burial goods. Mayan Comparative Set 2 includes: Altar de Sacrificios (Wright, 2006), Altun Ha (White et al, 2001), Cahal Pech (Ebert et al, 2019), Calakmul (Price et al, 2018), Chinikiha (Negrete et al, 2020), Itzan and Seibal (Wright, 2006), Ka'kabish (Smith, 2020), Minanha (Williams et al, 2017), Nakum (Rand et al, 2020), and Xcambo (Sierra Sosa et al, 2014).…”

“…Stable isotope analysis has been applied over several decades to human remains from archaeological contexts to better understand lived experiences of health and diet. In Mesoamerica, specifically, stable isotope analyses paint a picture of long‐term commitment to agriculture with maize‐centered diets but with variation between individuals based on geography, biological sex, and social status (Alcantara‐Russell, 2020; White et al, 2001; Williams et al, 2017). This study applies individual level stable isotopic analyses to a skeletal collection from the early Colonial period cemetery of El Japón, 1565–1640 cal.…”

“…The stable isotope analyses applied to human remains from El Japón will elucidate the dietary patterns of individuals in order to test previously presumed changes in diet concomitant with colonization and introduction of new crops and livestock. Long‐term commitment to intensive agriculture resulting in maize‐centered diets is well established in Mesoamerica (White et al, 2001; Williams et al, 2017) including after colonization (Alcantara‐Russell, 2020; Gibson, 1964; Price et al, 2012). The present analyses at early Colonial El Japón, however, permit parsing of individual level isotopic evidence that may identify initial adoption of European foods.…”

Rainfall, temperature, and Classic Maya conflict: A comparison of hypotheses using Bayesian time-series analysis

“…Thus, proxies for past maize yields would be a very useful addition to the model and could be used to test the hypothesis more directly. At the moment, it is not entirely clear which potential proxies should be used, but perhaps they could be based on pollen frequencies, soil isotope records [88], or through-time changes in dietary isotopes indicative of maize consumption (e.g, [89,90]). These more direct indicators will be necessary to determine whether the political legitimacy mechanism proposed by Carleton et al [29] is consistent with the totality of evidence in the Classic Maya archaeological and historical records.…”